NEW ROCHELLE, NY — ArtsWestchester has announced a 20 percent increase in funding from the New York State Council on the Arts’ Decentralization Grants Program for the allocation of grants totaling $55,000 to local arts organizations and artists.
ArtsWestchester distributes these funds through its competitive Arts Alive grants, supporting community-based cultural activities throughout the county, as well as the creation of new work by Westchester artists.
“On behalf of ArtsWestchester,” said CEO Janet T. Langsam, “we would like to thank Governor Cuomo for increasing the State allocation to NYSCA last year by $5 Million making it possible for the 20 percent increase to all decentralization sites throughout New York State.”
On January 29, members of the New York State Legislature joined ArtsWestchester’s Board of Trustees for a private breakfast to present Arts Alive grants to 25 organizations (ArtsWestchester will present grants to individual artists later this spring). The breakfast took place at ArtsWestchester, which is located at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains.
This year’s grant recipients represent artistic expression from cultures from around the world in an array of genres that include dance, writing, visual art, music, theatre and more. The variety of projects range from public art installations and African drum workshops to affordable jazz performances and a dance with an anti-bullying message. Additionally, these grants represent 17 municipalities throughout the county, including Yonkers, Ossining, Peekskill, Mount Vernon and more.
Arts Alive grants are awarded in two categories: Arts Alive Project Grants, which provide Westchester-based organizations and artists with financial and technical support for projects at the grassroots level; and Arts Alive Artist Grants, which support works that relate to the community in a significant way. The grants are chosen through a competitive process that includes a panel of community members and arts professionals.
Arts Alive Project Grants are made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program (DEC), a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature, and administered by ArtsWestchester.