News in Brief
Artist-Designed Library Kiosks Erected in New Rochelle
Six artists have been selected to each customize a set of “Pop-Up Library” kiosks that will be placed throughout New Rochelle. Local residents are encouraged to “take a book, or leave one” from the kiosk libraries’ book collections. These designed boxes, a collaboration between New Rochelle Council on the Arts, My Brother’s Keeper New Rochelle and the New Rochelle Public Library will be situated in different locations throughout New Rochelle in order to encourage literacy and promote community. Participating artists include Carol Bowen, Cristina Cerone, Alvin Clayton, Laura Heiss, Aston LeMelle-Thomas and Stephanie Lombardo. Kiosk locations will include Feeney Park, Flowers Park, Hudson Park, Huguenot Park, Lincoln Park and Ward Acres. In addition, pop artist Charles Fazzino created a larger installation at the Metro North train station.
Support Cultural Funding by Speaking Up for the Arts
Attending one of Westchester County’s budget hearings is one way for arts supporters to demonstrate their support for cultural funding. The arts enhance quality of life, strengthen communities and act as an economic engine for the County. In 2015, the nonprofit arts sector in Westchester contributed $172.3 million to the local economy as well as 5,179 jobs. Supporting funds from Westchester County Government help ArtsWestchester to support cultural activities in the County throughout the year with competitive grants, educational opportunities, free access to creative programming and more. Join
ArtsWestchester and its member organizations at the following public hearings:
- November 20 (7pm) at Yonkers Riverfront Library
- November 27 (7pm) at Ossining Public Library
- December 5 (7pm) at Board of Legislators Chambers (White Plains)
For info, visit: artsw.org/speakup.
Professional Development Workshop Series for Artists
ArtsWestchester continues its series of professional development workshops with a set of free educational talks. On November 1, staff members from A.R.T./New York will discuss the application and guidelines for its Creative Opportunity Fund, a statewide theater regrant program. On November 15, artists will learn about opportunities available through New York Foundation of the Arts. This includes Fiscal Sponsorships that are available to artists and emerging arts organizations of all disciplines. It also includes 2019 fellowships for the following disciplines: choreography, music/sound, photography, playwriting/screenwriting, and architecture/design/environmental structure. Both events take place in ArtsWestchester’s building in downtown White Plains. For more info, visit artsw.org/profdevworkshops.
To RSVP, contact Lauren Brady at lbrady@artswestchester.org.
Art$WChallenge Matching Grant Program Raises Funds for the Arts
Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins and the Westchester County Board of Legislators recently joined ArtsWestchester to announce the Art$WChallenge, a matching grant program that provides funding to support arts and culture programming in Westchester County. Through December 14, ArtsWestchester with support from Westchester County Government, will match new contributions up to $5,000 to any of 48 eligible cultural organizations. Since 2007, the Art$WChallenge grant program has raised more than $4.7 million for the arts. Past grant funds have assisted in providing free concerts by the Yonkers Philharmonic, bringing schoolchildren to the Neuberger Museum of Art and more. According to Latimer: “The arts are a vital component of our local and regional economy, supporting thousands of jobs and adding millions of dollars of revenue back into our communities.” For a list of eligible organizations or to donate, visit artsw.org/artswchallenge.
Apply Now: ArtsWestchester Interns Gain Professional Experience
ArtsWestchester is launching a new semester of its internship program. This winter, each intern will have the opportunity to gain experience from specific departments of interest in order to acquire skills, such as project management, public relations and team collaboration, which are transferable to their future careers. In addition to working closely with ArtsWestchester staff members on department-specific tasks, interns will participate in a series of professional development activities and workshops. These include hearing more about the organization’s cultural affiliates program, learning how to conduct a gallery docent tour, write a blog post and more. Complimentary admission to arts and cultural events will sometimes be available, at which the intern can help to build awareness of the arts in Westchester. A final presentation will be given by each intern as well. Internships are available in areas such as grants and government relations, arts in education, communications, special events, gallery and more. To apply for a winter / spring internship, visit artsw.org/volunteer.
Brick by Brick Gallery Programs Explore the Brick Industry
ArtsWestchester’s current exhibition, Brick by Brick: The Erie Canal & the Building Boom, is inspired by the shared story of the Erie Canal and the Hudson Valley brickyards. Contemporary art installations and photographs are on display along with artifacts and personal narratives that relate to the history of the region’s brick industry. Several programs related to the exhibition’s subject matter will take place this month. On November 3, brick hunters and collectors will tell stories of their adventures along the Hudson River. Audience members are encouraged to bring up to seven marked bricks to share and swap. On November 10, spiritual singers and storytellers will narrate a story that delves into the history of slavery, brickyards and an African American church in Haverstraw. Both events take place amongst the exhibited artwork in ArtsWestchester’s gallery in White Plains. Brick by Brick remains on view through January 19. Brick by Brick and its programs are sponsored by New York State Council on the Arts and Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1. For more info on the exhibition and its programs, visit artsw.org/brickbybrick.
Mount Vernon Announces “Arts, Culture and Heritage Master Plan“
The City of Mount Vernon has conducted a study that aims to engage the arts community by creating an arts infrastructure that will support the projects of local artists. This “Mount Vernon Arts, Culture and Heritage Master Plan” has identified needs and opportunities that will be taken into account in order to achieve this goal. By working closely with ArtsWestchester, the City will prioritize several points within the plan, including an Arts, Cultural and Heritage Commission to provide support on policy planning and development, as well as strengthening collaborations and partnerships across all communities in order to build alliances, collectives and ad-hoc groups. Priorities also include building a renewed brand identity for the City and launch specific branding related to arts, culture and heritage, which will be coupled with citywide art installations. According to Mayor Richard Thomas, “Mount Vernon has always had a unique arts history and we are committed to creating new opportunities for our arts community.” For instance, the City will host its first Mount Vernon Art week in December, which will consist of a holiday arts market at which visitors will find unique holiday gifts made by emerging artists.
A version of this article first appeared in the November issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.
