Still time to submit applications for ArtsWestchester grants

ArtsWestchester is now accepting applications from non-profit arts organizations and individual artists in Westchester who are seeking 2012 Arts Alive Grants.

While grants of up to $5,000 are available, the average grant is approximately $1,000. The deadline for grant submissions is September 23, 2011.

The Arts Alive Grant is designed to help small, grassroots Westchester based organizations and artists present programs and exhibitions that are accessible to a wide community audience.

Examples of past Arts Alive grantees have included: an artist leading a community mural project, an affordable concert presented by a choral group, a teen musical presented by a theatre troupe, a free outdoor concert in a town park, and an ethnic festival. 

Arts Alive is made possible with funds from the Decentralization program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). For more information, including a downloadable application and guidelines, go to  www.artsw.org/artsalive. 

In an effort to encourage as many groups and artists to apply, ArtsWestchester has organized a number of application workshops in communities across Westchester. If local artists or art-based cultural organizations would like to apply for these grants, they are encouraged to attend one of ArtsWestchester’s grant writing workshops (a schedule of these workshops can be found below). 

“In this challenging economy, our local arts organizations need support more than ever,” notes  ArtsWestchester Executive Director Janet Langsam. “’Arts Alive’ is a fitting name for this grant category, as these grants can often make it possible for a program to be presented.” Last year, ArtsWestchester awarded $45,000 in grants, and received 61 applications overall.

An independent panel comprised of artists, as well as business, civic, and cultural leaders, review the applications and make award recommendations to ArtsWestchester’s Board of Trustees. 

Grants are awarded in two categories: The Arts Alive Project Grants provide financial support and technical assistance for projects. Priority is given to emerging arts organizations and art projects that express the culture of Westchester’s many ethnic groups or make cultural programs accessible to those who are under-served. Previous Project Grant recipients include O’Bey Foundation’s Drum Call Program, and Cafe a la Siete, programs highlighting the music, literature and art of Latin America, presented by Greenburgh Library. 

Arts Alive Artist Grants provide direct support to artists in the creation of an original, new work that incorporates the community as context. Previous Artist Grants have resulted in the creation of landscape paintings of Westchester, a sculpture of a resident jazz musician, and musical performances celebrating the lives of past musicians. The variety of projects that receive Arts Alive

Grants each year illustrates Westchester’s artistic and cultural diversity.

Application and guideline workshops are hosted by ArtsWestchester at the Arts Exchange - ArtsWestchester’s headquarters at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in the heart of downtown White Plains, and at various locations throughout Westchester County. Workshops will be held on: 

• Thursday, July 21 at 5:30pm at the Mother Irene Gill Memorial Library, College of New Rochelle, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle.  Hosted by Castle Gallery and New Rochelle Council on the Arts.

• Wednesday, July 27 at 12noon at the Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers. 

• Thursday, August 4 at 6pm at the Field Library, 4 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill. Hosted by Peekskill Arts Council.

• Thursday, August 11 at 6pm at Carver Center, 400 Westchester Avenue, Port Chester.  

• Wednesday, August 24 at 6 pm at the Mount Vernon Library, 28 South First Avenue, Mount Vernon.  

• Wednesday, September 7 at 6 pm at ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains.

Aside from these workshops, one-on-one technical assistance is available by appointment. Those interested in setting up an appointment can call Eric Siegel at 914.428.4220 ext. 324 or email esiegel@artswestchester.org. 

To download an application and guidelines or to RSVP for one of the workshops, visit www.artsw.org/artsalive For more information on the Arts Alive Grant Program, contact Eric Siegel at esiegel@artswestchester.org.

ArtsWestchester is your connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, it is the largest, private, not-for-profit arts council in New York State; its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts.  ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich Westchester: our grants help fund concerts, exhibitions and plays; we bring artists into schools and community centers; we advocate for the arts and build audiences through our marketing initiatives. In 1998, ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into the Arts Exchange, a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations, and the community.