2021 Arts$WChallenge Matching Grant Program Announced

ArtsWestchester & More Than 100 Grantees Launch the 2021 Art$WChallenge Matching Grant Program
The arts are coming back & working to raise $400,000 in private donations by Dec. 15, 2021.

White Plains, NY (July 28, 2021) –The Art$WChallenge, a unique public/private partnership between ArtsWestchester, Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Westchester County Board of Legislators has made available $400K in matching grant money to benefit arts and cultural groups in Westchester County through December 15, 2021. At a time when arts groups throughout the Country are trying to make a comeback from being closed during COVID, more than 132 Westchester arts organizations are eligible for between $1,500 to $7,500 in matching funds based on their ability to raise private monies during this special campaign between August 15^th to December 15^th.

ArtsWestchester CEO Janet T. Langsam explains, “Community support has enabled us to keep the arts alive and vital in Westchester in good times—and in not so good times. Right now is one of those not so good times.”

Langsam explains, “We need broad support to #RestartTheArts in Westchester. So, if you have been thinking about supporting the arts community that has been so badly hit by the pandemic, now is the time to make your tax-deductible 2021 gift to one of the participating arts groups in this unique matching grant fundraising opportunity. You’ll double the impact of your gift with the County’s match!”

County Executive George Latimer says, “Despite the havoc over the last year caused by COVID-19, Westchester’s arts community rallied and continued to provide virtual and in-person cultural programs for County residents. Now it’s time to restart the arts and invite audiences back to our cultural venues. Since the inception of the Art$WChallenge matching grant program, a total of $3.9 Million in private money has been raised, matched by over $2 Million in County support. Funding from the 2021 Art$WChallenge matching grant program is needed now more than ever before to help cultural groups rehire, redesign programs and bring back arts audiences to live events.”

Benjamin Boykin, Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, said, “The Board of Legislators is always proud to support the Art$WChallenge program. It is a wonderful example of a public/private partnership that supports the quality of life for county residents and boosts our economy. After the devastating effect of COVID-19 on the cultural sector, we were pleased to be able to invest additional money in the program, which helped 11 new cultural organizations participate. In these times, the Art$WChallenge program is an important way we can help stabilize our arts community, kick start the return of our shared cultural life, and stimulate the economies of our villages, towns and cities.”

Through December 15, new or increased donations made to any eligible Westchester arts group will be matched by ArtsWestchester with support from Westchester County Government. Click here to see if any of your favorite arts organizations are eligible for the match.

Visit: https://artswestchester.org/grants/artswchallenge/ and make a difference today.

About ArtsWestchester

For more than 50 years, ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, it is the largest, private, not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. ArtsWestchester helps fund concerts, exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998, ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations, and the community. A two-story gallery is located on the first floor of ArtsWestchester’s historic building in downtown White Plains.