Sometimes the Stars Actually Align

Good news was in the air…at least in Westchester. A 3% increase for the arts in the Westchester County budget passed with no tax increase thanks to the county executive and your county legislators. Here at ArtsWestchester, we also breathed a sigh of relief as Congress included in its recent actions level funding of the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts), which has recently awarded $35,000 to ArtsWestchester for it upcoming “Crossing Borders” exhibition. Alas, the icing on the cake came when the Governor waved his magic wand with support for the arts in the form of Economic Development grants to many arts projects including ArtsWestchester’s 2015 Festival of New Work. With this investment, the arts community will be working hard in 2015 to boost the state’s economic development stature with performances, light shows, and a museum expansion of exhibition space. Needless to say, we’re ecstatic with the recognition that the arts in Westchester are an economic driver worth at last count $156 million in economic benefit. A list of state grants follows.

Hudson River Museum West Wing (ESD Grants $250,000 and ESD MNY $380,000): Expansion of exhibition space in the Hudson River Museum

Copland House (Arts WIP $49,500): Expand Educational Offerings and Partnerships

Historic Hudson River Towns (ESD Grants $250,000): Sing Sing Historic Prison Museum

Historic Hudson Valley (Arts CHPG $58,200): Lightscapes Artist Project

Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art (Arts CHPG $45,700): Peekskill Project VI

Hudson Valley Writers Center (Arts WIP $37,000): Strengthen Branding & Communications

Jacob Burns Film Center (Arts APCE $40,000): 3D Projection System

Jay Heritage Center (HPADP $500,000): Restoration of Historic Jay Gardens

Jazz Forum Arts (Arts CHPG $30,400): Sleepy Hollow Multicultural Arts Celebration

Village of Sleepy Hollow Market (ESD MNY $45,000): Sleepy Hollow Multicultural Arts Celebration

Westchester Arts Council Inc. (Arts CHPG $76,000): Festival of New Work