Music Conservatory of Westchester Wins NEA Grant

Music Conservatory of Westchester Wins Challenge America Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

Professional Artist and Local Students Will Create Music-Themed Public Mural on the Conservatory Building in White Plains

White Plains, NY—Music Conservatory of Westchester has been awarded a $10,000 Challenge America grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support a public art project benefitting the entire community. Working with Cuban-American artist Jonathan Villoch, the Conservatory will mount the United Colors of Music Student Art Contest, selecting a winner to help design and install a mural representing a collaborative interpretation of “Multi-Cultural Music.” Embracing the county’s diversity, the project celebrates the power of music to bring people together through a shared artistic experience.

Four NEA grants were awarded to Westchester organizations, including the Conservatory, in the NEA’s first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2018.

“When the Conservatory moved into this building in 2001, we immediately envisioned a public mural celebrating the joys of music in visual form. Now, thanks to the NEA, we have the opportunity to bring that vision to life,” said Conservatory Executive Director Jean Newton.

“It is energizing to see the impact that the arts are making throughout the United States. These NEA-supported projects, such as this one to the Music Conservatory of Westchester, are good examples of how the arts build stronger and more vibrant communities, improve well-being, prepare our children to succeed, and increase the quality of our lives,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu.

In launching the United Colors of Music Student Art Contest, the Conservatory will search for talented local students to share their artistry on a visible, public canvas, and to collaborate with an experienced professional. To be launched on Monday, March 19, 2018, the contest will invite students in grades 7-12 residing in Westchester County, NY to submit an original design representing their vision of the theme “Multi-Cultural Music.” One winner and three runners-up will be selected by a panel of local experts. The winner will collaborate with mural artist Jonathan Villoch to create the final mural design. All four original student designs will be incorporated into the mural and displayed inside the building. The mural design will be unveiled at a public celebration honoring the winning students and the creative collaboration with Villoch at the Music Conservatory of Westchester campus in White Plains later this year. Reflecting the welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant essence of the community music school, the United Colors of Music Student Art Contest gives visual presence to the sounds of music, and encourages students of all backgrounds to share their creativity with the community.

For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.

CONTACT: Adriana Rivera, Communications and Development Assistant, Music Conservatory of Westchester, Adriana@musiced.org, 914-761-3900 x135

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