County Executive George Latimer, Along with the Board of Legislators and ArtsWestchester, Award $850,000 in Arts Grants

Partnership between Westchester County and ArtsWestchester improves access to the arts, enhances quality of life and promotes economic development

(June 27, 2018) – County Executive George Latimer and Board of Legislators Chairman Ben Boykin today joined ArtsWestchester’s Board of Trustees in presenting ArtsWestchester grants to 75 cultural organizations, artists and projects. The grants, which totaled $850,000, are reviewed and vetted by ArtsWestchester and funded by Westchester County government.

“These grants underscore the importance of arts and culture to the vibrant lifestyle of Westchester County and the economic impact of this sector on our overall economy,” says County Executive Latimer. “The arts contribute close to $200 million annually to our economy, and thousands of jobs. The arts are an important thread in the fabric of our County, and one of the draws to Westchester for residents and visitors alike.”

“ArtsWestchester’s Grant Program reflects the County’s diversity and recognizes that it embraces a variety of arts organizations—from community-based organizations in our urban centers, to arts centers that support downtown revitalization to major institutions that bring world-class artists to the county.  This program weaves the arts into the fabric of life here,” says Board of Legislators Chairman Boykin.

ArtsWestchester’s partnership with Westchester County extends back nearly 45 years, when the County designated ArtsWestchester as its cultural arm, charging the organization with redistributing county funds. ArtsWestchester is also the regrant agency for New York State Council on the Arts, distributing funds in both Westchester and Rockland.

“ArtsWestchester is pleased to have such a dynamic relationship with Westchester County that has passed the test of time. It’s heartening to know that our legislators on both sides of the aisle recognize that communities thrive where the arts are present,” explains Michael Minihan, who was recently elected President of ArtsWestchester.

Among the organizations recognized at this morning’s breakfast reception were several that draw tourists to Westchester, including Caramoor Center for Music and Art, Historic Hudson Valley, Jacob Burns Film Center, Tarrytown Music Hall and Katonah Museum.

“Cultural tourism in Westchester is a dynamic part of our industry,” says Janet Langsam, ArtsWestchester’s CEO.  “Event-related spending by attendees totaled $65.7 million in Westchester County in 2015, excluding the cost of event admission. Visitors from outside the county who come to Westchester for cultural events spend an average of $25.40 per visit.”

For many of the awardees, such as Clay Art Center in Port Chester, Lagond Music School in Elmsford, the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, and Youth Theater Interactions in Yonkers, ArtsWestchester’s grants are critical to providing need-based scholarships that make instruction accessible to students whose families cannot otherwise afford the cost.

Several artists were also among the awardees: Eve Soto’s grant enables her to provide voice lessons to Mount Vernon kids; Haifa Bint Kadi is expanding a public art project in Yonkers; and Pamela Tucker is conducting a textile workshop for the Mount Vernon community.

For more information about ArtsWestchester, visit artswestchester.org.

Grant Awards by Category:

2018-19 BASIC PROGRAM SUPPORT GRANTEES

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, $40,000
Clay Art Center, $16,500
Clocktower Players, $1,000
Copland House, $12,500
Hammond Museum, $15,000
Historic Hudson Valley, $40,000
Hoff-Barthelson Music School, $27,000
Hudson Stage Company, $12,000
Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, $20,000
Hudson Valley Writers’ Center, $24,000
Jacob Burns Film Center, $40,000
Jazz Forum Arts, $18,000
Katonah Museum of Art, $38,500
Lagond Music School, $7,500
Music Conservatory of Westchester, $39,000
Pelham Art Center, $17,000
Rivertowns Art Council, $11,500
Songcatchers, $3,000
Steffi Nossen Dance Foundation, $20,000
Tarrytown Music Hall, $36,000
The Emelin Theatre for the Performing Arts, $40,000
The Picture House Regional Film Center, $8,000
The Play Group Theater, $10,500
The Rye Arts Center, $16,500
Westchester Philharmonic, $39,000
White Plains Performing Arts Center, $18,000
Youth Theatre Interactions, $30,000

 

2018-19 PROJECT SUPPORT GRANTEES

Arc Stages, Visions and Voices Playwriting Festival, $4,000
Axial Theatre, Inc., Axial’s 20th Season: A Celebration, $8,000
Ballet des Amériques School & Company, “Westchester Wednesdays Dance” – Dance Performance Series at Tarrytown Music Hall, $3,500
Blue Door Art Center, Exhibition Program, $9,500
Downtown Music at Grace, Inc., Downtown Music Concert Series, $10,000
Fine Arts Orchestral Society of Yonkers, Series of Three Free Unique Yonkers Philharmonic Concerts, $5,000
Friends of Music Concerts, Friends of Music Annual Concert Series, $6,000
India Center of Westchester, Inc., Riyaaz Qawwali, $3,000
Lyndhurst, Scarecrow Invasion, $5,000
Lyndhurst, Ethics of Dust: Lyndhurst, $11,000
Mamaroneck Artists Guild, 2018-2019 Exhibition Season, $5,500
Mamaroneck Artists Guild, Art Programs, Panels & Workshops 2018-19, $1,000
Neuberger Museum of Art, Distribution, $8,500
Neuberger Museum of Art, Warhol x 5: Subject and Seriality, $8,500
New Rochelle Council on the Arts, ArtsFest 2018, $11,000
New Rochelle Opera, Inc., Production of Verdi’s “La Traviata”, $6,000
Purchase College Foundation, 2018-19 Arts-in-Education, $15,000
Purchase College Foundation, FY19 Dance Series, $13,500
Taconic Opera, Inc., New York Opera Conservatory Summer Program, $2,500
Taconic Opera, Inc., Cavalleria/Gianni Schicchi and Verdi Requiem, $10,000
The Schoolhouse Theater & Art Center, Love Linda (What is This Thing Called Love), $4,250
The Schoolhouse Theater & Art Center, The Color of Light by Jesse Kornbluth, $4,250
The Symphony of Westchester, Concert Series at Iona College, $10,000
Untermyer Performing Arts Council, WorldFest18, $11,000
Westchester Children’s Museum, Rhyme & Read – Musical Learning Experience, $5,000
Westchester Italian Cultural Center, Cinema Sotto le Stelle, $3,000

 

2018-19 MOUNT VERNON ARTS INITIATIVES

Organization:

Mount Vernon Arts And Culture, Mount Vernon Music Program, $2,500
Mount Vernon Public Library, Hispanic Heritage Month Salsa Dance & Percussion Program, $2,500
PJS Jazz Society, Inc., PJS Fall 2018 Concert Series, $5,000
Revelators Inc. , Production of “Motown,” $3,500

Artist:

Alicia Appleton, Leather Making Workshops, $1,000
Ary Lima, Brazilian Capoeira Workshops, $2,000
Bob Clyatt, “Shared Spaces-Mount Vernon, NY”: Collaborative Sculpture Project, $1,000
Cornell Carelock, Music Production Workshops, $1,500
Eve Soto, ReadyToSing Teens Vocal Workshops, $1,500
James Bujo Williams, “Creative Expression” Painting Workshops, $1,500
Pamela Tucker , “Many Become One”: Community Art Textile Workshops, $1,000

 

2018-19 YONKERS ARTS INITIATIVES

Organization:

Actors Conservatory Theatre, Junior Troupe Production of “ON THE TOWN,” $3,000
Blue Door Art Center, Children and Adult Art Workshops, $6,000
Fine Arts Orchestral Society of Yonkers, Free Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra Family Concert, $4,500
Hamm & Clov Stage Company, Bilingual production of “My Grandpa, El Quijote,” $5,250
Untermyer Performing Arts Council, UPAC “On the Road” Concert Series, $6,000
Youth Theatre Interactions, “Teen Night,” $8,000

Artist:

Dave Steck, “Yonkers Split” film exhibition, $1,000
Evan Bishop, The “YES YONKERS!” Community Quilt Project, $1,500
Haifa Bint Kadi, “Sidewalk Stories”: cracked sidewalk mosaics, $1,750
Janet Grice, Chamber Concerts by Vento Trio inspired by “Wind, Water and Motion,” $1,500
MJ Territo, Jazz Workshops for Seniors, $1,500