Hook Arts Media (HAM), originally incorporated in 1993 as Dance Theatre Etcetera (DTE) , has spent over 30 years using the arts as a vital component of community change in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and beyond.
Founding and Early Years
DTE was founded by choreographer Martha Bowers in 1993 to produce her performance and education projects.
The organization’s roots began earlier, in 1992, when Bowers established a free dance/theatre education program at PS 15 in Red Hook, Brooklyn. This was in response to the murder of the school’s principal.
Bowers led the organization as its Executive Director from 1993 until her retirement in 2024.
Mission Refocus and Rebranding
In 2009, DTE refocused its mission specifically on arts education programming for low-income communities in NYC.
In 2018, the organization rebranded as Hook Arts Media to reflect the growth of its educational programs, which now incorporates 21st-century technologies.
Current Mission and Impact
Hook Arts Media’s mission is to unite artists and community members to co-create cultural activities, using the arts as a vehicle for social transformation in low-wealth communities.
The organization achieves this through:
- In-school, after-school, and community-based arts education programs with a focus on media education
- Community arts festivals and youth film festivals
HAM’s programs promote individual expression, cross-cultural understanding, and civic participation. It is recognized as an award-winning organization known for making the arts a critical component of equitable cultural development and urban renewal. It is currently led by Michelle Rivera with a largely BIPOC administrative staff and roster of teaching artists completing its founder’s aspiration that the organization staff should reflect the constituents it serves.