Who we are
The Locke Alliance is a social enterprise dedicated to transforming communities through the power of arts education. Named in honor of Dr. Alain Leroy Locke—the "Dean of the Harlem Renaissance" and champion of arts as essential to human development—we work at the intersection where creativity and learning create lasting change.
We partner with educational institutions, arts organizations, municipalities, and community programs to design and implement arts education initiatives that serve learners of all ages. Through strategic consulting, collaborative partnership building, and custom program development, we help communities recognize and invest in the arts as fundamental infrastructure for growth, connection, and enrichment.
Through The Locke Network, we connect artists and artistic entities with each other, fostering collaborative endeavors that amplify creative impact. We believe the most transformative work happens when creative practitioners unite around shared vision, combining their unique talents to create something greater than any could achieve alone.
Our approach is grounded in the belief that the arts are not optional extras, but essential pathways to academic excellence, cultural understanding, and lifelong learning. We bring together diverse stakeholders, facilitate meaningful collaboration, and create tailored solutions that reflect each community's unique strengths and aspirations.
At The Locke Alliance, we don't just advise—we build alongside you. We don't deliver templates—we co-create programs designed specifically for your community. Because when arts, education, and enrichment converge, transformation happens.
This is where your vision meets our expertise. This is where artists become allies. This is where impact begins.
Our Mission
The Locke Alliance empowers educational institutions, arts organizations, and communities to integrate fine and performing arts as catalysts for lifelong learning and community engagement. Through strategic consulting and program development, we create convergence points where artistic expression enhances human development across all ages—from youth programs to adult enrichment to aging population initiatives—fostering creativity, connection, and cultural understanding in every community we serve.
Our Vision
We at The Locke Alliance envision a world where arts education is recognized as essential infrastructure for thriving communities—where creativity and learning converge to develop engaged citizens, bridge cultural divides, and unlock human potential across all ages and backgrounds.
Our Goal
The Locke Alliance aims to become the leading catalyst for arts-integrated programming nationwide by measurably improving educational outcomes, community engagement, and cultural vitality in every community we serve. We aim to establish sustainable, replicable models that demonstrate the quantifiable impact of arts education on academic achievement, social cohesion, and lifelong learning across all populations. Through strategic partnerships and evidence-based practices, we will create a network of thriving communities where the arts are recognized and funded as essential infrastructure for human development.
Our Pillars
Innovation, Collaboration, Impact, Accessibility
Our Namesake
The Locke Alliance is proudly named in honor of Dr. Alain Leroy Locke (1885-1954), the renowned philosopher, educator, and cultural critic known as the 'Dean of the Harlem Renaissance.' As the first African American Rhodes Scholar and a Harvard-trained philosopher, Locke championed the transformative power of arts education and cultural pluralism. He believed that artistic expression was not merely entertainment, but essential to human development and democratic society. Locke's groundbreaking philosophy positioned the arts as bridges between cultures, generations, and academic disciplines—creating spaces where creativity and critical thinking converge to foster deeper understanding and social progress. Our alliance continues his legacy by implementing his vision: that arts education is fundamental infrastructure for building inclusive, thriving communities where every individual can reach their full potential through creative expression and lifelong learning.
Alain Leroy Locke
1885 - 1954
“Dean of the Harlem Renaissance”
Contact us
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