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Explore NYC Salt’s media coverage—from The Kelly Clarkson Show to grants from Moleskine and Nikon. See how our work is empowering youth through photography.

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Nikon  ·  March 25, 2026

Nikon Inc. and NYC Salt Extend Collaborative Partnership to Help Empower Emerging and Underrepresented Student Artists

Nikon Inc. and NYC Salt have renewed their partnership to support underserved youth in New York City. The collaboration provides mentorship, financial support, and access to professional mirrorless cameras and lenses. Nikon has also unveiled a new limited edition NYC Salt x Nikon Camera Strap and Hot Shoe Cover Kit, designed in collaboration with students in the program. The initiative aims to develop creative skills and open pathways to careers in photography and filmmaking.

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2025

5 stories

Evoto AI  ·  September 17, 2025

Evoto AI partners with NYC SALT

Evoto AI has announced a new partnership with NYC SALT. Through this collaboration, Evoto will provide financial support for SALT’s programs, offer free credits to participants, and lead regular trainings on its software and tools. The company will also establish a local resource in New York City and tap into its network of professional photographers to share their journeys and best practices with students through workshops.

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The MET  ·  June 30, 2025

Alicia Hansen Speaks at The MET on Art and Social Justice

Our Founder & CEO Alicia Hansen was a guest speaker at The Collaborative for Creative Practice and Social Justice at the MET Museum. Alicia joined the community partnerships and initiatives celebration and spoke about how the arts continue to empower communities across NYC. The Collaborative is made up of 21 arts and cultural organizations and examines the transformative power of the arts through the lenses of justice & equity, relationship building, sustainability, and social impact.

Read more about The Collaborative for Creative Practice and Social Justice View Caitlyn Gaurano’s photo gallery View Argenis Apolinario’s photo gallery

The Daily Beans  ·  May 23, 2025

NYC Salt featured on The Daily Beans podcast

A volunteer mentor shared NYC Salt’s impact on The Daily Beans, a progressive news podcast. The segment highlighted Salt’s two-decade-long work empowering underrepresented NYC youth through photography and life skills. With alumni attending top schools like NYU and RISD, and recent features including the Kelly Clarkson Show and a guest class by Annie Leibovitz, the spotlight comes at a crucial moment, as the National Endowment for the Arts is cutting funding for many arts and cultural organizations nationwide.

Listen to the episode

The Kelly Clarkson Show  ·  January 31, 2025

NYC Salt on The Kelly Clarkson Show

NYC SALT appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, featuring student Danieli’s stunning photos of Kelly’s audience. Founder Alicia Hansen shared how the program empowers youth through photography, while graduate Malike Sidibe discussed how NYC SALT launched his career.

Watch the full episode

2022

3 stories

Unseen  ·  September 12, 2022

Interview with Alicia Hansen, Founder and CEO of NYC Salt

Since 2008, NYC Salt has helped hundreds of young people develop skills, confidence, and career paths in creative industries. By fostering community and providing professional mentorship, NYC Salt offers life-changing opportunities and promotes diversity in the arts. Their emerging artists have gained recognition in major publications and international exhibitions like Unseen.

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Moleskine Foundation  ·  May 10, 2022

Towards the Bigger Picture – Alicia Hansen & NYC SALT

Founded in 2008 by Alicia Hansen, NYC SALT is a nonprofit that empowers youth aged 14 to 26 through photography and creative arts education, offering hands-on training, mentorship, and career support to foster personal growth and professional opportunities in the visual arts.

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Kaospilot  ·  2022

Alicia Hansen – CEO and Founder of NYC Salt

Alicia Hansen, founder of NYC SALT, a nonprofit that uses photography to help underserved youth in NYC access college and creative careers. She discusses her work, impact, and connection with Kaospilot, which has shaped her leadership and teaching approach.

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2021

4 stories

Untapped Cities  ·  July 1, 2021

NYC SALT Emerging Artist Exhibition Named #11 of 13 New Public Art Installations in NYC — July 2021

This summer, NYC SALT unveiled a public outdoor exhibition at Hudson River Park featuring 22 large-scale vinyl panels showcasing work by young emerging NYC artists and graduates of NYC SALT’s visual arts program. Curated by Polly Irungu, the exhibit highlights the unique perspectives of underserved city youth through professional photography and storytelling, portraying the dynamic communities they belong to.

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Chelsea Community News  ·  July 12, 2021

NYC SALT Summer Series: Art Among Sun and Sky — July 2021

NYC SALT’s outdoor exhibits Dancing with Light and Emerging Artists showcase photography by NYC youth in public parks. Born during the pandemic, the shows offer free community access to art and give students the chance to sell their work and gain professional experience. NYC SALT plans to continue blending outdoor and indoor exhibitions.

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The New York Times Magazine  ·  June 13, 2021

Student Group Publication in The New York Times Magazine: “NYC Wakes Up”

Three NYC SALT students — Emmersen Tormey, Malike Sidibe, and Mamadi Doumbouya — were selected for assignments in the story “NYC Wakes Up,” published on June 13th. Emmersen was one of the few high school students chosen and earned $3,000 for her first professional assignment, showcasing their incredible talent and impact through photography during the city's reopening phase.

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Forbes  ·  2021

Forbes 30 Under 30: Art & Style 2021

Forbes' 30 Under 30 Art & Style Class of 2021 highlights young creatives redefining the future of fashion, art, and design. This year’s list features NYC Salt alum Mamadi Doumbouya, a celebrated photographer recognized for his powerful portraiture and visual storytelling. Alongside Mamadi, the list includes founders, artists, and designers pushing boundaries and amplifying diverse voices in the creative world.

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2020

8 stories

The GroundTruth Project  ·  December 21, 2020

Feature on NYC SALT students: “A New Light”

NYC SALT students participated in a powerful photo essay project capturing their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. This visual series reflects resilience, isolation, and hope, showcasing how young artists used photography to express complex emotions during an unprecedented time.

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BuzzFeed News  ·  December 12, 2020

NYC SALT Print Sale Announced: Supporting Emerging Artists in 2020

In response to the challenges faced by the photography community during the pandemic, NYC SALT held two online print sales in 2020, raising tens of thousands of dollars. These sales help fund photography and college prep programs, allowing NYC SALT to expand classes and support more students despite the ongoing crisis.

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The New York Times  ·  June 13, 2020

Feature on one of our students about online learning: The Future of Classrooms Faces a Learning Curve

This article explores the rapid shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting challenges such as student engagement, inequities in access to technology, and the importance of facilitators and structure. Research shows that students perform better in virtual classes when supported by mentors and consistent schedules, with examples from Michigan’s statewide virtual learning programs.

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Workbook Podcast  ·  June 12, 2020

Where We Are Now - Episode 12: Sharing Ideas that Affect Meaningful Change

This episode of the weekly webinar series “Where We Are Now” focuses on addressing systemic barriers for BIPOC in the industry. The panel, including NYC Salt founder Alicia Hansen, photographers Daniel Martinez and Nathalie Gordon, and others, discuss ideas and strategies to create meaningful change through community engagement and visual arts.

Watch the full webinar

2019

1 story

Bittersweet  ·  September, 2019

Lenses of the Unseen Capture the Untold

Whether philanthropy will see the benefit of a program that puts long-term relationships at the core of its mission remains to be seen. But if art is one of the few things left that might clarify and not obfuscate, unite and not divide, we should be all in on its communal expression.

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2017

2 stories

The New York Times Lens Blog  ·  May 4, 2017

Teenage Documentarians Show the Power of Photography

This feature spotlights teenage photographers from New York City’s community programs, including NYC Salt, who use their cameras to explore identity, family, politics, and changing neighborhoods. Through photography, these young artists find a creative voice and a way to understand themselves and the world around them.

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NY1, New Yorker of the Week  ·  March 10, 2017

Our Founder, Alicia Hansen, was named New Yorker of the Week

Alicia Hansen, NYC Salt’s founder and executive director, was honored by NY1 for her dedication to helping high school students develop photography skills essential for college and career success. The feature highlights her commitment to mentoring young creatives and expanding opportunities in the arts within New York City’s underserved communities.

Watch full video

2015

1 story

2014

1 story

zPhotoJournal  ·  October 29, 2014

Alicia Hansen: Salt of the Earth

The NYC Salt program boasts an incredible 100% acceptance rate into college, in a neighborhood where only 37% receive higher education. And many of those were on full scholarships; to date, her students have received over a million dollars in scholarships!

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2013

5 stories

Emerging Photographer  ·  2013

Nonprofit Photo Group, a Launching Pad For Teens

In 1994, photographer Alicia Hansen turned a one-off class for disadvantaged teens into NYCSalt, a volunteer-staffed nonprofit that teaches professional-grade skills similar to what these budding photographers would get if they could apprentice for a pro shooter.

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Good Works  ·  2013

Flavoring and Preserving the Lives Of At-Risk Youth

NYC Salt is flavoring and preserving the lives of at-risk youth. About six years ago, working with disposable cameras, the kids learned more than just photography. They were schooled on their potential and how they could alter their lives by tapping into their inner talents.

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The New York Times Lens Blog  ·  September 19, 2013

Looking at Our Hometowns

This interactive photography project gathered over 4,200 images from teenagers across the U.S., capturing life in diverse communities. NYC Salt is highlighted among the contributors, showcasing its impact empowering inner-city youth through visual storytelling. The collection offers a unique portrait of America today as seen by young photographers, with some photos archived by the Library of Congress.

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