Westchester County Announces Continued ArtsWestchester Support at Kick-Off Event for the Art$WChallenge

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (October 14, 2016) – Deputy Westchester County Executive Kevin J. Plunkett surprised 30 arts leaders yesterday by publicly announcing that County Executive Rob Astorino intended to keep funding for the arts level in his proposed 2017 budget.

The announcement came as Plunkett attended a news coverage in White Plains to kick off the Art$WChallenge, a dollar for dollar matching program that has raised more than $3.4 million for the arts over nine years.

Donning ArtsWestchester’s red cap that has become the signature symbol of arts support in Westchester, Plunkett drew applause from the crowd of arts executive directors and board members when he made the announcement. In attendance at the event were Chairman of the County Board of Legislators Mike Kaplowitz, as well as County Legislators Mary Jane Shimsky and Margaret Cunzio.

ArtsWestchester’s Board President Bob Roth and county officials were at ArtsWestchester’s headquarters yesterday to announce the 2016 Art$WChallenge, which helps leverage new private dollars by matching donations through December 15.  During this time, ArtsWestchester, with support from Westchester County government, will match every new dollar donated to any of the nearly-50 eligible arts organizations.  This match includes up to $5,000 per organization until the available $180,000 in matching funds have been allocated.

The cultural sector has a direct and lasting impact on Westchester’s economy, creating $156 million in annual spending and creating 4,800 jobs in the county, according to a 2012 study by Americans for the Arts.  Supporting this sector maintains and increases this impact while bringing awareness and much-needed funds for local arts organizations.  In the Challenge’s nine years, organizations have raised $2.2 million in donations, and ArtsWestchester has provided an additional $1.2 million in matching funds from the County, for a total of $3.4 million in support.

“The Art$WChallenge program is a wonderful example of how ArtsWestchester has leveraged public support to increase private donations to the arts community. It is a significant model program of government and the community working together,” explains County Executive Robert P. Astorino.

“It is important for us all to understand the value of the arts in our community and how arts and culture adds to our quality of life. Public-private partnerships such as this enrich the lives of County residents and visitors,” said Westchester County Board Legislators Chair Michael Kaplowitz.

ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam added, “The benefits that stem from the $3.4 million investment in the arts that the Art$WChallenge program has had over the years is tri-fold: county residents have access to vibrant, high-quality cultural experiences; local arts groups’ programs can flourish with the necessary funding that the program provides; and the County’s economy thrives as a result of job creation and increased cultural tourism.”

Participation in the program is simple: supporters donate funds to eligible arts organizations. For each organization, up to $5,000 “new” dollars (recurring donations or grants are not eligible) will be matched through the program.

Howard Meyer, Artistic Director of Axial Theatre, said, “The Art$WChallenge Program has provided an invaluable opportunity for Axial Theatre to add necessary funds to our productions by incentivizing new and existing donors. This matching grant program has yielded deeper relationships with existing giving partners as well as new enthusiastic donors.”

“By helping Copland House secure new or increased contributions, the Challenge Program promotes the strengthening of our musical, educational, and public programs, which reach adults and school children throughout Westchester,” said Michael Boriskin, Artistic and Executive Director at Copland House. “In particular, these funds will support an important new partnership this year that is bringing Copland House programs into every school in the Peekskill City School District and to the general community. Successfully completing this match is a real ‘seal of approval’ on what we offer County residents.”

There are two ways to donate:  visit artsw.org/artswchallenge and make a direct online donation to any of the listed arts groups or download and print the PDF donation form to mail with your check to the arts organization of choice.

This funding opportunity is open to cultural organizations that receive either a Basic Program Support or Project Support grant from ArtsWestchester, having been vetted by an independent panel of professionals in the past two years. Forty-nine not-for-profit organizations qualify for participation in this year’s program, including: Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Neuberger Museum of Art, Historic Hudson Valley, Hudson Stage Company, Jacob Burns Film Center, Steffi Nossen Dance Foundation and more.

For a full list of participating cultural organizations or to donate to the 2016 Challenge, visit artsw.org/artswchallenge.