Higgins: $107,500 in grants for Western New York art community

Congressman Brian Higgins today announced the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded $107,500 in federal grants to the Western New York art community. These grants support artistic excellence, creativity and innovation among local artists.

"Western New York has a thriving arts community," Higgins said. "This federal support for local artists allows them to continue to enrich the lives of this community through music, art and theater."

The White Pine and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society were each awarded $15,000; the Irish Classical Theatre Co. has been allocated $10,000; the Center for Exploratory and Perceptual Arts will receive $30,000; Lillian-Yvonne Bertram was awarded $25,000; and Douglas S. Basford will receive $12,500.

The funding will support a number of local art projects, including a distinguished poets series, installations by both local and national artists to transform defunct properties into interactive public art displays, as well as a number of musical and theater productions.

The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency. Since its establishment by Congress in 1965, NEA has awarded more than $5 billion to support artists across America.