Five Peekskill Artists Receive Arts Grants

Press Release from the City of Peekskill:

Five Peekskill-based initiatives are receiving grants from ArtsWestchester’s Arts Alive program--more than any other community in Westchester County--to support their respective 2011 creative endeavors which include art projects, music programs, historic tours and workshops to introduce youth to careers in the performing arts.

Grants were awarded to: (1) Antonia Arts, Inc. to create a series of six workshops to introduce young people to potential career paths in the performing arts, (2) Cross Cultural Connection, Inc. to create professional-amateur (pro-am) ensembles for students to work side-by-side with professional musicians, (3) The Field Library for the creation of "Vintage Peekskill," an historically-themed mural using local vintage postcards as the image source to embody pride of place, (4) Kelli Bickman for the youth mural arts program/contemporary banner project and (5) Sisters in Support to conduct walking tours, workshops and a festival to acquaint students and adults with Peekskill’s role in the “Underground Railroad.” 

“Congratulations to all of the recipients. Their work demonstrates the artist community’s deep commitment to fostering cross cultural projects and youth involvement in the arts. The City of Peekskill is pleased to receive more Arts Alive Grants from ArtsWestchester than any other Westchester community,” said Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster.

Arts Alive Grants are awarded in two categories. Arts Alive Project Grants, which are funded by the de-centralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), provide financial and technical support for Westchester-based organizations and artists at the grassroots level. As the name indicates, these grants offer project support rather than general operating funds. Priority is given to emerging cultural groups, ethnically based cultural activities, and services to areas where the need is greatest. This year, ArtsWestchester awarded $38,400 in this category to 31 deserving organizations, with Peekskill-based initiatives receiving five grants. 

About ArtsWestchester:  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, 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.