Who We Are & What We Do
Unexpected Artistry was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 2011 inspired by the minds of Ant, L., and Zook, also known as the Three Brothas. Together they produced within the fine arts; theater, film, art exhibits, literature, and the acclaimed, “Day after MLK ''. The goal was always to create work that not only entertains but also inspires and educates.
Mission
Unexpected Artistry is an educational production company, that develops projects and services that address systemic educational inequities through the intersection of action research, and the liberal or fine arts.
Vision
Our work produces educational frameworks, data-driven systems, and arts-inspired curricula to support coalition building for a well-educated society.
Values
Educational Equity
Community Engagement
Healthy Wellbeing
Research and Scholarship
Collaboration
Founder & Head of Educational Production
Anthony Gaskins is an award-winning actor, writer, producer, and educator whose work lives at the intersection of cultural storytelling, educational equity, and social innovation. Based in Los Angeles, with enduring roots in New York City, Anthony brings over 15 years of experience cultivating transformative learning environments while producing content that challenges systems and centers humanity.
His dual path in education and the arts is not a balancing act; it is a blueprint. As a Director of Admissions and Family Engagement, U.S. Diversity Coordinator, Institute Director, Social Justice Educator, and adjunct professor at Borough of Manhattan Community College, Anthony has shaped equitable school communities through a restorative and culturally responsive lens. In parallel, he has written, produced, and starred in socially conscious work for stage and screen, including the award-winning comedy series Frank and Lamar on IFC.
In 2015, he founded Unexpected Artistry, a nonprofit educational production company that blends arts-based pedagogy with narrative media to address systemic inequities. The organization offers culturally responsive programming, professional development, and original storytelling, bridging creative expression with community impact.
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