The Broadway production of “Wicked” and the high-end stationery retailer Moleskine have partnered to create grants for the Creativity Pioneers Fund. The partnership aims to increase arts access to underserved areas within the United States. The second iteration of the “Everyone Deserves the Chance to Fly” grant was awarded to NYC Salt following the March 26 performance of “Wicked” at the Gershwin Theatre.
NYC Salt received a grant totaling $10,000. The artist-led nonprofit uses photography to expose New York City high school students to the arts. The organization also provides these students with college-readiness programs.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Moleskine, the Moleskine Foundation and Serino Coyne, whose collective efforts and generosity have made possible a grant to NYC Salt’s nonprofit high school photography programs,” said NYC Salt founder and CEO Alicia Hansen in a statement. “This significant contribution not only reflects their commitment to nurturing creativity but also inspires a new generation of artists to flourish. By providing our young artists with the tools and education they need to thrive, this grant fuels our shared vision that everyone deserves a chance to fly — unleashing their full potential and inspiring a brighter future for all.”
“Creating the ‘Everyone Deserves the Chance to Fly’ grant only puts action behind the mission statement of ‘Creativity can change the world,’” added Moleskine CEO Christophe Archaimbault. “NYC Salt continues to be a beacon of light and creativity for youth in New York City which helps to support [and] develop a sense of belonging and identity through the lens of a camera.”
Moleskine has also released a special journal, in honor of the long-running “Wicked”’s 20th anniversary, which was celebrated on the Main Stem in October 2023. A percentage of the sales of the “Wicked” Moleskine will be donated to the “Everyone Deserves the Chance to Fly” grants. The notebook is available for purchase at the Gershwin, as well as Moleskine’s online and physical retailers.
“As a writer, I can attest that a blank page can be daunting — but it also can be inspiring, as there are limitless ways to fill it,” noted Winnie Holzman, who received a Tony Award nomination for penning the book to “Wicked.” “And that is what ‘Wicked,’ Moleskine and these grants aim to do — to remind and inspire young writers that there are endless ways to express yourself, to tell your story and to find your voice — and in doing so, they can help change the world.”
Moleskine has committed $50,000 to the partnership, which launched in October 2023. The first grant recipient was Arte Justice.
Following previews that began on Oct. 8, 2003, “Wicked” opened on Oct. 30. The musical, which is based on Gregory Maguire’s prequel to the event of L. Frank Baum’s “Wizard of Oz” books, features a Tony-nominated score by Stephen Schwartz. “Wicked”’s box-office-record-breaking film adaptation was nominated for 10 2025 Academy Awards; Tony-winner Paul Tazewell took home the Oscar for designing the movie’s costumes.
