News and Press Releases

For Immediate Release: September 3, 2025

Contact: publicaffairs@culture.nyc.gov   

MATERIALS FOR THE ARTS KICKS OFF ANNUAL “BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING SPREE," PROVIDING FREE SUPPLIES TO NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS  

Throughout September, MFTA encourages teachers to stock up with supplies—all at no cost—as students return to the classroom

The warehouse has been fully stocked with supplies tailored to educators like chalkboards, stationary, and illustration books generously provided by MFTA donors, including the American Folk Art Museum and Mr. Boddington’s Studio

While MFTA proudly serves public school teachers year-round, the Back to School Shopping Spree highlights MFTA’s commitment to supporting teachers with valuable programs and services

Photos of Materials for the Arts available here. 

Materials for the Arts shoppers stock up on fabric. Courtesy of MFTA.

Queens, NY - Materials for the Arts (MFTA) - a program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the city’s premier creative reuse center for arts nonprofits, public schools, and city agencies - is welcoming NYC Public School teachers across the five boroughs for MFTA’s annual Back to School Shopping Spree. Educators across all subject areas are invited to MFTA’s massive, 35,000-square-foot warehouse in Long Island City to "shop” (free of charge) from a wide array of donated materials as they begin the school year. Educators have access to everything from basics like paper, office supplies, notebooks, chalk boards, and craft items to more unique MFTA finds like vintage post cards, fabric, buttons, beads, mannequins, and film and television props. Teachers from MFTA’s 1,800+ member schools can schedule their Back to School Shopping Spree appointments on MFTA’s website. If a school isn’t yet a member of MFTA – now is a great time to join!

“As our city’s educators prepare to teach and inspire the next generation, Materials for the Arts stands ready to support them with this back-to-school bonanza of free supplies to fuel creativity in the classroom,” said NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “Our administration is deeply committed to building a more affordable, sustainable, and equitable New York City and MFTA’s annual Back to School Shopping Spree is a powerful example of that commitment in action. We’re giving teachers the resources they need to spark imagination and creativity for every student, in every classroom. So NYC educators: join us at the MFTA warehouse for this year’s Back to School Shopping Spree!!”

“As we kick off another exciting school year, programs like Materials for the Arts are essential for our students,” said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “Arts education plays a vital role in helping young people express themselves and grow creatively, both inside and outside the classroom. Thank you to our partners at the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs for their continued support and advocacy on behalf of our children.”

“At Materials for the Arts, we’re proud to support NYC public school educators as they gear up for the new school year, and all year long,” said MFTA Executive Director Tara Sansone. “MFTA’s resources and programs geared toward educators also go far beyond providing free supplies. We’re especially excited to relaunch MFTA After Hours: Late Night Teacher Shopping, a monthly evening event offering extended hours for busy teachers, while also providing live demonstrations led by MFTA staff of what educators can do with these materials in their classrooms. We also encourage teachers to explore our professional development courses, where they can earn P-Credits and CTLE hours while learning to incorporate sustainability and creative reuse into their classrooms. Whether you’re shopping for supplies, seeking new ideas, or looking to grow as an educator, MFTA is here to support you every step of the way.”

This school year also marks the return of the monthly MFTA After Hours: Late Night Teacher Shopping program. Launched 2023, the late night shopping program extends MFTA’s hours until 7:00 PM on a monthly basis to accommodate the schedules of educators who might not be able to visit the warehouse during regular hours. This school year, MFTA After Hours will begin on Thursday, September 11 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and will welcome teachers with live demonstrations of creative reuse projects including envelope books, file folder puppets, and reuse textile weaving. The American Folk Art Museum will be donating nearly 2,000 fable illustration books to MFTA that teachers will be available to teachers during the evening. Composition books donated by local Brooklyn-based stationary store, Mr. Boddington’s Studio, will also be available. Late night teacher shopping will continue on the first Thursday of every month through June 2026. 

MFTA will distribute nearly 2,000 copies of the American Folk Art Museum’s publication Fables across Time: Kalila and Dimna. Courtesy of MFTA. 

MFTA’s next round of professional development courses are also starting in September. These courses allow teachers to earn P-Credits and CTLE hours to enhance their qualifications and salary potential. These courses empower educators to integrate creative reuse, art, and interactive, sustainable projects into their lesson plans across all subjects. MFTA’s fall P-Credit Course Paper Pulp to Fiction begins Saturday, October 4. In partnership with the NYC Public Schools Arts Office, MFTA will also host a professional development workshop for art teachers on Staten Island at Snug Harbor on Monday, September 29.

MFTA also encourages educators to use the new MFTA Sustainability Curriculum Guide designed for K-12 educators eager to nurture the next generation of eco-conscious leaders. Developed by the MFTA Education Center in partnership with Deutsche Bank, the guide includes real-world narratives, to age-appropriate resources, and a range of media to ignite a passion for championing a better, greener world.

While MFTA welcomes teachers to visit its 35,000 square foot warehouse in Queens all year long, the Back to School Shopping Spree provides an opportunity for them to start the school year with fresh supplies. In 2024, MFTA took in over 6 million pounds of donations valued at nearly $25 million. This included $7.4 million worth of supplies donated by film, TV, and theater industries, which connect MFTA members with remarkable props, equipment, and other items that were used on local sets and stages before finding second lives through MFTA. Last school year, over 300 schools shopped during MFTA After Hours: Late Night Teacher Shopping, and MFTA’s Education Center also worked with over 6,500 students through field trips to MFTA.

MFTA shopping is by appointment only. Teachers interested in shopping at Materials for the Arts must schedule their appointment online. Educators can contact their principal to make sure their school’s MFTA account is up-to-date and to be added to their school’s account. Visit www.nyc.gov/mfta to learn more.

Media interested in covering MFTA’s 2025 Back to School Shopping Spree are welcome to visit the warehouse located at 33-00 Northern Boulevard, Long Island City, Queens during the following times on “shopping days.” RSVP to publicaffairs@culture.nyc.gov to attend:

9/4 – 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
9/9 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
9/11 – 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM (MFTA After Hours - Late Night Teacher Shopping, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
9/16 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
9/18 – 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
9/23 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
9/25 – 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
9/30 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

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About Materials for the Arts (MFTA)
A program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, with support from the Department of Education and Friends of Materials for the Arts, MFTA is NYC’s largest reuse center supporting nonprofits with arts programming, public schools, and City agencies. On average MFTA collects millions of pounds of supplies each year which it provides, free of charge, to its member organizations. In addition to providing materials, MFTA has an Artist-in-Residence program and holds public events every third Thursday of the month which include gallery openings and community workshops. Learn more at www.nyc.gov/mfta.

About NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City’s vitality. The Department represents and serves non-profit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City’s five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/culture.