A Letter from Rob

First, I would like to thank you for your loyalty and support over the last 10 years. Together, we have built an amazing community around our shared passion for being creative with technology, and because of your support we’ve made a huge impact. We created a space where creative kids can join together to learn, create, and share their passions for all things nerdy. DAE students have gone on to pursue computer science, animation, engineering, etc. in college and many of them have built rockets or race cars, created apps out in the market, or created animations for feature films. The most rewarding part of it all is that many students have returned to teach at The DAE during our summer programs.

During the last two years, The DAE has faced significant hardship in this ongoing pandemic. Like all small businesses, we’ve had to continually adapt to the changing circumstances and do our best to press forward. From transitioning all of our programs online in 2020 to downsizing our physical space in 2021, we have worked hard to be able to continue to offer our awesome tech classes to the community.

Unfortunately, the lasting effects of the pandemic on the business are significant and it is no longer sustainable. It is with a heavy heart that I share that The Digital Arts Experience will be shutting down at the end of January.

For those of you who have your children enrolled in our current afterschool or Saturday programs, those programs will run as planned to their completion through mid-January. As for classes, school breaks, and summer camp going forward, NORY Westchester, with whom we share our space, will be bringing on some of our instructors and offering our classes, so you can continue to enroll your kids in amazing technology programs. For more information, contact Matt at matt@nory.org & 914-557-8694 or visit www.norywestchester.com. We’ll be sending out emails with NORY program info over the next several weeks and keep an eye out for emails from NORY about classes and camps throughout the year.

Our beloved Dungeons & Dragons club will continue to be offered on an ongoing basis. Nick Sceusa, our former Director of Operations, created the D&D club in 2019 and will be taking over ownership and operations of the club. If your child is currently participating in our D&D club, Nick will be in touch. If you are interested in learning more or signing up, visit www.nicksdndclub.com or email nicksceusa@gmail.com.

We know this news may be shocking or saddening, and I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your ongoing support throughout the last 10 years. It is because of you that we have been able to teach thousands of kids, bring our programs to schools & libraries all over the county, and inspire students to pursue creative technology for their careers.

Once again, thank you for being part of The DAE family. Thank you for an amazing 10 years.

Rob Kissner

Founder & CEO