Artpark honors M&T Bank for commitment to WNY arts community at cultural institution's annual gala

At the Artpark & Company Cirque Celebration on Sunday – the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year – M&T Bank was honored for its “dedicated support and longtime commitment to arts and cultural organizations across the Western New York landscape.” 

Artpark & Company President Sonia Clark said, “In Western New York, we collectively pride ourselves on having a robust arts and cultural community. M&T Bank’s enduring commitment to the arts goes far beyond financial support and sponsorships. They embrace the relationships they’ve built with the cultural organizations they fund. To the entire M&T Bank and M&T Charitable Foundation teams – thank you for your trust in allowing us to create art that fosters a transformative world that explores the human experience, cultivates creativity, and encourages curiosity.”

M&T Bank serves as the lead innovative cultural programming sponsor of Artpark’s 2023 season, and it has been a longstanding Artpark partner, awarding charitable grant funding and providing trusted advisement for many years.

In honoring M&T Bank, “Artpark celebrated the company’s deep contribution to the development of the region’s arts and cultural community, noting how M&T’s charitable funding and volunteer support has elevated, strengthened or saved numerous organizations across Western New York,” a press release stated. “Last year alone, M&T Bank awarded over $9.4 million to over 300 nonprofits in Western New York, and M&T employees provided over 63,500 hours of volunteer service and served in 214 board positions locally.

Artpark Board Chair Joanne Bauer added, “The financial support has been so generous over the years – and the bank’s enduring commitment goes far beyond. M&T embraces the relationships they’ve built with the organizations they fund. They bolster organizations’ capabilities and advance their missions; and they are there for them during moments of need.”

Chris Kay, senior executive vice president and head of enterprise platforms for M&T Bank, and an Artpark board member, said, “Artpark is a special place where art, nature and culture collide, bringing people together through powerful shared experiences that inspire creativity and connection. It’s a fantastic example of the vibrant, unique and growing arts ecosystem we have in this region – which truly has the potential to emerge as one of the nation’s top places to experience the arts.

“At M&T Bank, we are honored to support many incredible cultural institutions in Western New York and beyond. We remain deeply committed to investing, through financial giving and volunteerism, to foster the growth of our creative communities and expand access to the arts for all.”