Grant for Social Justice Series at the Burns

PEEKSKILL, NY — The Jacob Burns Film Center will receive a $35,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, among five all told in Westchester County.

Rep. Nita M. Lowey, D-Harrison, announced that a total of $110,000 has been awarded. The arts connect people by telling the story of our communities, she said.

“I will continue fighting to protect funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, and I’m pleased these federal investments will help local artists and organizations celebrate and enrich the lower Hudson Valley’s vibrant creative culture,” she said.

These grants are a part of more than $30 million awarded by the NEA to nonprofit organizations and individuals across the country for grants in the areas of Art Works, Art Works: Creativity Connects, Challenge America, and Creative Writing Fellowships. These grants cross all artistic disciplines, reach 48 states as well as Washington, DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and also support partnerships between the arts and non-arts sectors.

Here's a list of Westchester grant recipients and project descriptions:

• $35,000 for the Jacob Burns Film Center (Pleasantville) to support "The Power of Film: Community Engagement and Dialogue," a curated film series. Dedicated to bolstering the role of the art house theater in a community, Jacob Burns will present several curated films with a focus on cultural awareness and social justice. Additional activities include talkbacks, community events, and an educational program for middle and high school students.
• $30,000 for Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art (Peekskill) to support the residency component to complement the exhibition "Threads." The exhibition will feature artists who work with yarn, paper, twine, thread, and other domestic materials to create artwork inspired by their personal journeys. The artist residency component will include both international and local artists who will create work, give workshops, and mentor students.
• $25,000 for ArtsWestchester (White Plains) to support “Modern Families,” a visual exploration of the modern American family. “Modern Families” will explore the diverse faces and facets of the American family during the last century as portrayed by contemporary photographers.
• $10,000 for Copland House (Peekskill) to support performances of American music performed by the Music from Copland House ensemble and related educational activities, including commentary during performances and question-and-answer discussions. In addition to the music of Aaron Copland, programs will feature music by composers such as Derek Bermel, Richard Danielpour, Gabriela Lena Frank, Paul Moravec, Tamar Muskal, Rob Schwimmer, and William Grant Still.
• $10,000 for the Clay Art Center, Inc. (Port Chester) to support the creation and installation of public art projects in White Plains. Healing Through Clay, an arts therapy program, will provide free clay classes for adults living with cancer and youth impacted by homelessness. Professional teaching artists will work with program participants under the supervision of Ariel Edwards, lead artist and Clay Art Center's Community Arts Director, to create mosaic works for public installation.

Photo credit: Google Maps.