• OPEN DOORS invests in the creativity and leadership of Black and brown wheelchair users and inspires action for safer, more just communities.

  • Disability Justice

    Fighting for those living and working in long-term care, particularly facilities housing predominantly Black and brown people.

  • Community Building

    Creating spaces for folks with disabilities and allies to present their creative work and, or speak on topics related to art and activism.

  • Gun Violence Prevention

    Confronting gun violence by keeping kids off the streets and in the studio and creating intergenerational paces of healing and wisdom.

OPEN DOORS NYC is a creative collective of nursing home residents, advocates, and allies. Through art and activism we work to prevent gun violence, strengthen communities, and promote disability justice.

We were “safe” in our nursing home until the city decided to lock COVID-19 patients in with us. Their first mistake was thinking we don’t matter. Their second mistake was forgetting we are artists. Their third mistake was assuming we’d be quiet. Co-directed by one of our own, Fire Through Dry Grass documents our devastating year on lockdown fighting for our lives and our freedom.

Wheeling & Healing 2

Wheeling and Healing 2 is here! OPEN DOORS Reality Poets are back wheeling and healing through words of empowerment, wisdom, and perseverance. We invited nursing home residents, our neighbors on Roosevelt Island, mentors, and friends to contribute their voices towards a message of resilience and hope. 

Thank you to all who submitted poetry and joined us at our release party hosted at RIVAA Gallery on March 20th, 2025. Check out our social media for more venues and dates on the Wheeling & Healing 2 Book Tour!

Make a donation

If you want to support our work please make a donation so we can continue inspiring action for safer, more just communities

 

Stay Up To Date! — Sign Up For Our Newsletter

* indicates required
 

Our Sponsors

  • North Star Fund

  • The Partnership for Inclusive disaster strategies

  • Craig H. Neilsen Foundation

  • NYS Council on the Arts

  • Borealis Philanthropy