BENCHMARKS is a comprehensive student arts residency art program at I.S.131 that inspires our students to tackle major social issues and become engaged citizens. Students create large-scale, meaningful artwork on benches for public display, to effect social change. Students receive a robust visual arts curriculum that addresses contemporary social challenges selected by students. Issues such as racism, gender inequality, drug abuse, homelessness, and religious intolerance are addressed through research and facilitated discussion. The project culminates in a visit to a guest artist’s studio and in the creation and public display of issue-based works of art on benches in parks in all 5 boroughs.