Higgins: $182,000 for art & cultural programs in WNY

Congressman Brian Higgins announced a second round of federal grants totaling $182,000 through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for eight projects in Western New York.

“As we work towards a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, these federal grants will be incredibly impactful towards the goal of creating additional opportunities and outlets for artists and families within our community,” he said. “Our arts organizations showed impressive creativity and adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these funds will help smooth the transition and encourage Western New Yorkers to enjoy the arts again.”

The following Western New York organizations are receiving funding through the NEA:

ASI of Western New York: $10,000 to support the “Arts Access” program, which connects people in Erie and Niagara counties to free and low-cost cultural opportunities.

WNY Book Arts Center: $10,000 to support the “Printing Partners” program, which creates an educational arts experience to help students in underserved communities learn different art-making techniques.

Just Buffalo Literary Center: $32,000 for the Babel lecture series, which features internationally acclaimed authors; and for the Studio series, which brings local writers together with groundbreaking poets for workshops and readings.

Artpark & Company: $10,000 toward “Sonic Trails,” a program offering visitors different musical audio experiences through a mobile app as they move through the grounds.

Buffalo Arts Studio: $30,000 to conduct an exhibition and workshop series aimed at promoting the creation of new work around significant issues including injustice, immigration, identity and racism.

Squeaky Wheel: $25,000 for a collaborative initiative with the Foundry and Buffalo Game Space supporting a workspace residency program for artists working on film, video, audio and interactive media projects.

Research Foundation for the State University of New York at Buffalo: $30,000 to aid with the artistic recreation of the Lorraine Motel balcony, the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. The exhibit, by artist Heather Hart, will serve as a space for reflection and used as a platform for performances by local artists.

CEPA Gallery: $35,000 to support an exhibition featuring 10 artists that exploring Afrofuturism, a science fiction genre utilizing ancient African traditions and identity.

More than $88 million in federal funding was distributed to organizations in every state during this round. On average, NEA grants generate more than $800 billion annually for the U.S. economy.

This round of funding follows an announcement by Higgins in February of $65,000 in NEA grants for Squeaky Wheel, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffalo String Works and Hallwalls.