About Us

Nowodworski Foundation Charity for Cultural and Educational Exchange, Inc. is a non-profit 501-c-3 educational organization, established and incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1999.

The Foundation has been called to life by the Alums of the Nowodworski High School.  Nowodworski High School has been in existence since 1588 in Royal Town Krakow, Poland. It has been endowed by the Knight of the Order of Malta Sir Bartlomiej Nowodworski. The School operates today as the 1st Lyceum Bartlomieja Nowodworskiego, as one of the oldest high school in Europe. 

Nowodworski Foundation work is dedicated to the innovation in art and music education, cultural exchange in a spirit of renaissance tradition. Foundation is especially focused on disadvantaged students of emigrants, minorities, low-income families, and on children in need and with disabilities.

The Foundation realizes its aims through SITE Arts and Intelligence Development Programs consisting of the art and music instructions, and mind training during the school year and International Art Camp during the Summer.

Foundation activities are organized through volunteer work of Directors, Friends, and with the support from Sponsors and grants awarded by Arts Councils and other organizations.
 

SITE locations: Hawthorne, Mahopac, New York City, Port Chester, Stamford, Yonkers

Board of Directors and Executives:

Jerzy Lesniak, President

Ewa Natkaniec, Chairwoman, CFO

Kinga Lesniak, Vice President, Artistic Director and Visual Arts SITE Manager

Agatha Natkaniec, Director, SITE Program Administrator

Helen Zajkowski, Director

Dr. Chris Casey, Inventive Thinking Liaison

Jenny Pham, Music SITE Manager

Natalia Kierul, Website

Thomas Kierul, Development

Melvin Bretz, Somers SITE Manager

 Putnam County Chapter Chair: Beata Gregorowicz

New York City Chapter Chair: Ewa Natkaniec

Stamford Chapter Chair: Helen Zajkowski

Art Instructors: Ana Alberts, Anna Banasik, Ismena Halkiewicz, Marek, Kapturkiewicz, Krystyna Kocor, Kinga Lesniak, Basha Maryanska, Erie Monte, Helen Zajkowski, Andrzej Mamak

Music Instructor: Barbara Blonska, Melvin Bertz, Monika Gos, Jenny Pham, Malgorzata Staniszewska

Advisors: Barbara Rojecka-Abid, Dr. Chris Casey, Jolanta Olechowski, Witold Sulimirski

Grants Received: Westchester Arts Council, Putnam Arts Fund and Putnam Arts Council, Westchester Parks