Downtown Revitalization & Cultural Arts Grants for 2014 Approved

County Press Release

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and the County Legislature recently approved awarding more than a quarter of a million in competitive grants to cultural arts programs organizations across the county. The measure leverages a portion of the county hotel tax charged for overnight stays to fund organizations that contribute to the cultural vitality that attracts out-of-town visitors to the county, and in particular its downtown communities.

“We are pleased to be able to support such a vibrant and diverse range of programs throughout Suffolk County,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.  “Residents and tourists can enjoy music, dance, art and theater all around the county. These programs produce jobs and create economic opportunities for many while ensuring a world-class cultural environment for all.”

“Cultural arts programs play a critical role in enhancing our local economy and providing diverse educational and recreational opportunities.  I encourage Suffolk residents to take full advantage of all that these programs have to offer,” said  Legislator Lou D’Amaro (D-Huntington Station).

Of the $273,066, $5,000 is allocated to the New York Foundation for the Arts for an “artrepreneurship” program, $107,000 for community grants to be administered by the county; $84,848 for grants administered by the Suffolk County Alliance of Arts Councils, and $76,218 for Destination Downtown grants for programs on the East End, Huntington Station, Brookhaven and Patchogue.

The Destination Downtown applications were evaluated on their ability to:

•        Improve downtown quality of life

•        Foster stronger community involvement and identifies a sense of place

•        Encourage cultural tourism and economic development downtown

•        Strengthen the arts community and encourage future private-public partnerships

•        Expand overall access to the arts across income levels

Awarded Destination Downtown grants are: 

East End Arts and Humanities Council – $13,109

August 24^th to September 7, 2014

JumpstART is a professional development program designed by East End Arts for artists of all disciplines that culminates in participating artists implementing a public art project in downtown Riverhead. This program provides the opportunity for artists to get a jumpstart on their artistic careers by learning about the fundamentals of growing their business – their art.

The Huntington Arts Council – $13,109

June 2014 to November 2014

SPARKBOOM in the Station – a series of arts events targeted for the GenY population.  It is supported by a diverse group of service organizations, business and houses of worship.

Patchogue Arts Council – $25,000

October 19^th to October 26^th, 2014

PAC MAC Festival will be a downtown centric, multi-day multi-venue festival encompassing (M)usic, Visual (A)rts and (C)inema which is scheduled for Oct 19-26, sponsored by the Patchogue Arts Council (PAC) and the Patchogue Business Improvement District.

Brookhaven Arts – $25,000

June 29^th to August 31^st, 2014

Bellport Summer Arts Festival – A variety of events taking place within the Bellport Community including  an outdoor art exhibit, free “Gazebo Concert Series, the 20^th Annual Choral Festival at Brookhaven, Saturday art walks and sidewalk sales, galleries will host artists in residence live demonstrations, art classes, exhibits, children youth will be invited to create artistic interpretations, Bellport Brookhaven Historical Society will host lectures, children, youth art classes by BAHC & Boys & Girls Club of Bellport, Clothesline Art Sale on S. Country Rd, the center of village.  Two large sculptures commissioned for permanent installation in two areas in the village, established as a brand representative of the Historic Village of Bellport. Replicas of sculptures will be produced and distributed to businesses. Business owners will be able to decorate the sculpture to represent their business. The Summer Arts Festival will become an annual event.

 The Community Arts Re-grant program helps fund small community groups, film programs and artist collectives. In this fund tax-exempt program, arts organizations and collectives in Suffolk County apply for a grant between $1,000-$5,000.  All applications were reviewed by the Suffolk County Citizens Arts Advisory Board.