(Hauppauge, NY-December 10, 2013) – The Suffolk County Department of Economic Development & Planning has put out a call for applications for projects that seek to support the arts, cultural affairs and downtown community development. Applications for both programs are due by February 7, 2014.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, “The arts are a wonderful mechanism to bring communities together. We will continue to build stronger downtown neighborhoods with our continued support of local artists and the creative development of public spaces.”
The program is a new initiative known as Destination Downtown. In this program, a total of $50,000 will be made available through two separate $25,000 grants. The application process is open to Arts Councils in Suffolk County that have tax-exempt 501(c)3 status.
Applications will be 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
The second initiative, known as the Community Arts Re-grant program, has $223,066 to administer grants to fund small community groups, film programs and artist collectives. In this fund tax-exempt arts organizations and collectives in Suffolk County can apply for a grant between $1,000-$5,000.
Examples of previously funded projects include:
• $2,500 to the Railroad Museum of Long Island to fund performances of the Eastbound Freight Bluegrass Band during the two-day Riverhead Railroad Festival.
• $1,500 to Northeast Stage for a production of “Julius Caesar” in Mitchell Park, Greenport.
• $1,000 to The Silver Chords for two series of choral concerts at Kings Park H.S. Islip H.S.
All applications will be reviewed by the Citizens Arts Advisory Board. Funding recommendations are then passed along to the Suffolk County Legislature for approval. Funding for both programs is provided by Fund 192, commonly referred to as the Hotel/Motel Tax.
“Cultural events and the performing arts have an amazing economic impact on our local downtown businesses. They build a sense of community and they encourage our residents to visit our fine local shops and world-class restaurants,” added Deputy County Executive and Commissioner of Economic Development & Planning Joanne Minieri.