ASI awards $122,500 to artists, arts groups in Erie & Niagara counties

Arts Services Initiative of Western New York has announced it will administer $122,5000 in New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Grants to artists and arts organizations for the production of 41 art projects in Erie and Niagara counties. The projects span nearly every discipline of art, including concerts, theater productions, comedy classes, visual art exhibitions and restoration initiatives, with many targeting underserved groups such as the region’s seniors, veterans and youth.

Grantees:

• A Musical Feast
• Boys & Girls Club of East Aurora
• Brazen-Faced Varlets
• Buffalo Girlchoir
• Buffalo Jazz Collective
• Buffalo Jewish Federation-Jewish Community Relations Council
• Canal Fest of the Tonawandas Inc.
• Carnegie Art Center
• Caroline Mallonee
• Christian Foundation for the Performing Arts Festival Chorus
• Cynthesis Studios
• Defiant Monkey Improv
• EX.C.E.L.L.
• Kenan Center
• Kyla Kegler (two projects)
• Lake Plains Players
• Lewiston Council on the Arts
• Liminal Space Ensemble
• Lock City Glee Club, Inc.
• Lockport Public Arts Council
• Michelle Marcotte
• Niagara Frontier Council of American Youth Hostels/Hostel Buffalo-Niagara
• Opera-Lytes
• Partnership of the City Ministries
• People Inc.'s Momentum WNY Choir
• PUSH Buffalo
• Red Blazer Men’s Chorus
• Restoration Society, Inc.
• Scott Bye
• The Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art
• Town of Boston
• Town of Brant
• Town of Eden
• Town of Elma
• Unique Theatre Company
• University District Community Development Association Inc.
• Valley Community Association Inc.
• Village of Blasdell
• West Falls Center for the Arts

ASI Executive Director Jen Swan also was appointed to the board of ArtsNYS, an organization that leads statewide efforts to advance the arts throughout New York. The group is comprised of executive directors from all of the arts councils across the state that administer NYSCA DEC funding.

“I am thrilled to represent Western New York in this new capacity,” Swan said. “It will help to ensure that our region remains part of the critical conversations surrounding statewide arts policy and impact.”

NYSCA’s DEC grants support the creation of arts and culture programming across New York. For 2020, NYSCA allocated $122,500 to distribute to artists and arts organizations in Erie and Niagara counties. Applicants can request between $500 and $5,000 for projects such as festivals, concert series, performances, mural creations and arts education. ASI received 89 applicants for 2020 funding, with 41 (46%) receiving funding. Of the new DEC applicants, 38% received funding.

Learn more about DEC Grants at asiwny.org/dec-grants.