36 Ebony, 52 Ivory, 28 Liberty

Sing for Hope Makes Music for the Eyes, Colors for the Ears

On June 3, the much-lauded public art project, Sing for Hope Pianos, returned to the streets as 50 artist-designed pianos were arrayed on Fosun Plaza, outside 28 Liberty Street.

And the artists had much to celebrate: the organization, which brings arts outreach programs to neighborhoods in need and provides a network of support for artists who want to give back to their communities, will achieve an auspicious milestone this year. The group is about to place its 500th piano on the streets and in the schools of New York City.

Each June, the project brings stunningly painted pianos — each a unique piece created by a different volunteer artist or designer — to New York City streets, parks, and public spaces, covering many miles between the northern Bronx to Staten Island. By daring passersby to tinkle at the keys, the project seeks to provoke spontaneous community-building through impromptu concerts and sing-alongs. After the pianos are publicly exhibited for two weeks, Sing for Hope donates the instruments to New York City public schools and community centers, where they enjoy a second life as hubs of year-round arts programming.

Sing for Hope was founded by renowned opera sopranos Monica Yunus and Camille Zamora, and its signature Sing for Hope Pianos program merges creative place-making with the group’s mission of art for everybody. The June 3 festivities included featured pop-up performances around the plaza by a range of performers, including several Broadway casts.

Now in its eighth year, Sing for Hope Pianos is made possible by partnerships with the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Education, the Office of the Mayor, and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, with special support provided by Fosun International.

Fosun’s participation in 2019 Sing for Hope Pianos is part of its global 515 Family Day initiative, in honor of the International Day of Families. The campaign will promote community, family, happiness, and goodwill through a series of events on the plaza.

“Our work with Sing for Hope and other arts organizations helps advance 28 Liberty’s role as a center for arts and culture in Lower Manhattan while promoting community inclusive happiness,” said Wei Bo, co-chief executive representative of Fosun International in New York and vice president of Fosun Hive Holdings.

“As Sing for Hope continues to expand nationally and internationally, we remain deeply committed to our New York City home that inspired it all. A hub of community and connection forms around each Sing for Hope Piano. Multiply that hub of community by the 500 Sing for Hope Pianos we will have placed as of this summer, and you have a City transformed,” said Monica Yunus.

Camille Zamora aded, “thanks to Fosun’s transformative philanthropic support, we will unveil a new permanent home in the heart of Lower Manhattan: the Sing for Hope Center at Fosun Plaza. This innovative hub, designed by Rodriguez Studio Architecture with furnishing by Sangiorgio Mobili, will house the Sing for Hope offices, Sing for Hope Pianos Art Studio, and dedicated education and rehearsal facilities.”

Now through June 24, Sing for Hope is placing 50 pianos in parks and public spaces across the five boroughs for anyone and everyone to play.