Murphy teams up with NYSCA to provide needed funding for arts organizations

ALBANY, NY - A long-time supporter of the arts, Senator Terrence Murphy has joined with the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to announce that $244,789 in grant money has been awarded to sixteen arts organizations in the 40th Senate District. This direct funding is on top of and in addition to the arts decentralization (re-granting) grants provided to countywide arts organizations to support local programs.

"Investing in the arts increases the economic, cultural and educational value of our communities," Senator Murphy said. "This year's grants are all inclusive, taking into account the interests and needs of every age group in our district. The funding will support art classes that will inspire creativity; provide courses that will help writers find their voice, and help finance music and theater programs that will appeal to people of all ages."

Joyce Picone, Executive Director for the Putnam Arts Council said, "We have been getting assistance from NYSCA since its inception. I am happy that this year we will receive our largest grant since 2004. Through our re-granting program, in which we assist arts organizations throughout the county, we provide grants to organizations such as the Brewster Theater Company, Arts on the Lake and the VOB Film Festival that present music and theater performances, film festivals, and visual arts programs. It is money well spent that enriches the lives of the people in our communities."

"Our education mission to develop and implement programs that provide instruction and inspiration in a digitally, and globally connected world, particularly to people in underserved communities," said Edie Demars, Executive Director for the Jacob Burns Film Center. "We are also dedicated to presenting the best of independent, documentary, and world cinema and making film a vibrant part of the community. Without enlightened support, we could not continue to serve the thousands of people we reach."

"The Pawling Concert Series received $5000 grant from NYSCA to present our series of five concerts. That endorsement from NYSCA helped to bring in five times more money from local corporations," said Ned Reade, President of the Pawling Concert Series. "In addition, many local businesses advertise in our program booklet knowing that we have earned the stamp of approval from NYSCA. In other words, the $5000 grant generates almost $35,000 in additional monies that go directly to artists' fees."

"NYSCA's support for Copland House has long been an essential 'seal of approval,'" said Michael Boriskin, Artistic and Executive Director for Copland House. "NYSCA enables us to bring our internationally-acclaimed concerts and educational programs celebrating America's vibrant musical heritage to communities and schools across the State, for people from ages 8 to 88."

Established in 1960 through a bill introduced in the New York State Legislature by Senator Sam MacNeil with backing from Governor Nelson Rockefeller, NYSCA is an arts council that serves the state of New York. NYSCA awards over 2,700 grants each year to arts organizations in every arts discipline throughout the state. A 2010 study by Americans for the Arts estimated the economic impact of the arts Westchester at $156.44 million, supporting 4,800 jobs and returning $23.1 million to local and state governments, with 2.7 million annual attendees.

Previous NYSCA grants from Senator Murphy have gone to support programs like the ongoing LightScapes Artist Project at Van Cortlandt Manor. The 2016 NYSCA grants approved for Senator Murphy's district include:

WESTCHESTER COUNTY

Axial Theatre, Yorktown Heights

The Axial Theatre was established with the goal of nurturing the development of new plays, and will use the grant to continue to provide this opportunity to Westchester playwrights. They will also produce their first-ever revival of a play in the upcoming season.

$2,500.

Copland House, Peekskill

Their NYSCA grant will fund musical, public and educational activities, including ensemble concerts, in-school & onsite educational programs, composer residencies, lectures and master classes, film screenings, and other public presentations.

$8,000.

Friends of Music Concerts, Inc., Croton-on-Hudson

During the grant year, Friends of Music Concerts will present six chamber music concerts by both world renowned ensembles and distinguished up and coming artists. Their grant will also fund a chamber ensemble's residencies in two public school districts.

$4,000.

Hammond Museum, Inc., North Salem

Support from NYSCA will provide folk art performances and crafts, demonstrations and workshops, printing programs, and travel expenses for artists.

$5,000.

Historic Hudson Valley, Potanico Hills

Historic Hudson Valley's grant will go toward ongoing activities, including curriculum-based education programs, cultural and seasonal festivals, library and archive management, content-rich digital initiatives, and the preservation and interpretation of the sites and collections.

$42,370.

Hudson River Healthcare, Inc., Peekskill

Their NYSCA grant will support Latin American holiday events through three celebrations developed in collaboration with local Latino committees and Dutchess and Westchester Arts Council folklorists.

$7,000.

Hudson Stage Company, Croton-on Hudson

NYSCA funds will support for their programming, which includes two stage productions and four staged Readings.

$6,500.

Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art (HVCCA), Peekskill

HVCCA will receive two separate grants totaling

$14,000 for:

Writing the Walls, a community project that will use poetry and words inspired by the "Indigenous Roots: The Threads that Connect" exhibit at the HVCCA that explores identity and memory. Funding would be used for poet and teacher fees and material costs for the program. $7,000.
A second grant will support artists, staff and materials for in-school programs at Peekskill High School. Students will create a project inspired by HVCCA's exhibition. $7,000.

Hudson Valley's Writers Center, Sleepy Hollow

The Center will expand its courses, workshops and events, including its Setting the Stage reading series, visual arts, music w/ literature, and its ethnically and culturally diverse thematic programs. Funding will also cover the publication of a book highlighting established and emerging authors.

$11,600.

Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville

The Center will receive two separate grants totaling

$41,300 for:

Animator-in-residence fees, equipment and other expenses associated with Minds in Motion, an education program that gives students the opportunity to create their own animated films. $9,800.
Also general support for year round exhibitions of independent, documentary and international films, speaker events and community programming.$31,500.
Magic Box Productions, Inc., Pleasantville

Magic Box Productions is entering its second decade of providing exemplary media arts workshops for New York City schools and community groups.

$20,000.

Schoolhouse Theatre, Croton Falls

Funding from NYSCA will support the Schoolhouse Theater's Mainstage Season.

$5,910.

Taconic Opera, Inc, Peekskill

Funding for two opera productions with each production being presented at two different venues. The grant also covers student performances of each production and two other opera events.

$5,000.

PUTNAM COUNTY

Southeast Museum Association, Brewster

Funding will support its ongoing activities including exhibitions, adult and children workshops and lectures.

$7,000.

DUTCHESS COUNTY

Pawling Concert Series, Pawling

Their NYSCA grant will support the presentation of five concerts each during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 concert series. The series presents a wide-range of music styles including classical, jazz, and ethnic music.

$5,000.