About Cognizart

Our Mission

Cognizart by MetroArts Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting life-long learning through the arts. Our mission is to teach creative and critical thinking processes through innovative arts education programs and curricula.

Our History

In 1993, MetroArts Inc. was formed by Niel DePonte in response to diminishing resources devoted to arts education in public schools. Since then, we have moved the educational agenda towards the idea that the arts are necessary to the education of the whole child.    In 2020, we changed our name to Cognizart by MetroArts Inc., which more fully embraces our "cognizant" approach to delivering quality "arts" education.
Tax ID #93-1260537

Our Staff and Board of Directors

Shannon Emory, Executive Director

Niel DePonte, Mentor & Conductor of the Young Artists Debut!
Karen Deveney, President
Elizabeth Eklund, Treasurer
Dayna Corwin, Secretary
Scott Howard, Director
Amy Polo, Director
Tim Siegel, Director

Camp Faculty

Andy Isbell, Music

Natalie Piper, Theatre

Chris Reynolds, Visual Arts

Colette Rood, Dance

Emory Wilkey, Intern

Marketing & Photography

Jeanne Spencer, Ricochet Partners
Lloyd Lemmermann, Lloyd Lemmermann Photography