Purchase Museum Receives $28,000 in Grants

Purchase's Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art will receive two grants totaling $28,000 from the The New York State Council on the Arts. The grants are part of 10 announced within the assembly district last week that total $121,000.

The grants, one for $16,000 and another for $12,000, will be used to create an online data visualization application, as well as fund the general operation for the museum.

Robert Castelli, Assemblyman for the 89th district, announced the grants earlier this week.

"It's important to provide grants to groups that keep children and adults interested in learning, music and the arts with live performances and hands-on experiences," Castelli said. "These grants are enriching the lives of people throughout the community and helping to provide unique learning experiences."

Castelli cited a recent study by ArtsWestchester, which suggested that $120 million is pumped into the Westchester economy by the arts industry. The study also says that arts support 3,779 jobs and generate more than $9 million in local government tax revenue in the county.

While politicians continue to work toward cutting the state budget, Castelli said that he does not support cuts to the arts, and is pleased by the grants.

"As an advocate for the arts, the Council for the Arts has my full support, and I remain committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to culturally enriching opportunities and I will continue to advocate on their behalf," Castelli said. "The budget proposal by Governor Patterson threatens to cut funds to arts organizations in Westchester by nearly $500,000. The cuts in NYSCA funding from $41.6 million to $25.2 million represent the largest state agency cut and would be a disaster to economic development in our region."

Other grants in the area include:

• $10,858 for Canticorum Virtuosi in South Salem to be used for general operating support for their music program.
• $12,000 for Caramoor Center for Music and Arts in Katonah to be used for professional presentations by their opera program as well as $30,000 for the presentation of festivals and indoor concerts.
• $5,251 for Friends of Music Concerts Inc. of Millwood to be used for the presentation of the Friends of Music Concert Series.
• $6,417 for the Katonah Museum of Art to be used for art education programs including "Thinking Through Art."  The Katonah Museum of Art will also receive $17,800 for general program support.
• $8,000 for Westchester Jazz Orchestra, Inc. to be used for professional performances.
• $3,471 for Westco Productions, Inc. to be used for professional performances, including Tickets for Tots.