ArtsWestchester Awards $400,000 in Arts Alive Grants for 2024

White Plains, NY (July 29, 2024) — ArtsWestchester will award $400,000 in Arts Alive grants to 114 local art and cultural projects throughout the Lower Hudson Valley made possible through a New York State Senate Arts Initiative.

The Arts Alive grants enrich communities through a diverse array of artistic endeavors. The financial support will benefit 87 community projects, 21 artist commissions, and six education initiatives.

“The Arts Alive grants are vital in nurturing the local arts ecosystem. They empower community groups and individual artists to bring their creative visions to life, fostering cultural engagement and enhancing the quality of life in our region,” said Kathleen Reckling, CEO of ArtsWestchester.

Highlights of this year’s grants include:

• Libraries as Cultural Centers: Eight funded projects will take place in libraries, which often serve as the sole cultural hubs in their communities, including those in Katonah, Nyack, and Nanuet.
• Cultural Celebrations: Ten projects will celebrate cultural or ethnic traditions, such as Juneteenth and Black History events, Mexican dance workshops in New Rochelle, and a Ukulele Orchestra in Nyack.
• Outdoor Events: Outdoor festivals and larger-scale events throughout the warmer months include Edward Hopper House Museum’s Plein Air Painting Festival, “Rock the Block” free concerts in downtown White Plains, and the Mount Vernon Public Library Comic Expo.

The Arts Alive grant program is an ArtsWestchester grants initiative and regrant program administered by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor’s Office and the New York State Legislature.

“New York State is committed to sustaining a robust arts community that is a cornerstone of our local tourism in the Hudson Valley. Through these grants, we ensure that the vibrant cultural fabric of our region continues to thrive,” said New York State Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “I am proud that, under my leadership, the Senate has made unprecedented investments in the arts, with $30 million allocated to New York arts councils since 2022, including $3.5 million for ArtsWestchester. Congratulations to all of the 2024 Arts Alive grantees.”

The Arts Alive grant opportunity provides support for grassroots arts and cultural organizations and artists in Westchester and Rockland Counties.  ArtsWestchester works in partnership with the Arts Council of Rockland in the outreach and administration of this grant program.

Contact: Ernie Garcia, Thompson & Bender, 914-762-1900 or [email protected]