“Western New York is home to a rich and diverse collection of cultural agencies which contribute to the fabric of the community and our local economy,” Higgins said. “This federal investment will allow for the expansion and enrichment of cultural offerings available to the public.”
Local awardees were:
- Squeaky Wheel Flim & Media Art Center, which was granted $15,000 to support the Buffalo Youth Media Institute
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, granted $10,000 to support “An American Siddhartha” performance featuring collaboration between Lehrer Dance and the BPO
- CEPA Gallery, which will receive $15,000 toward expansion of the Partner Schools program
- Just Buffalo Literary Center, which was awarded $70,000 to support Read÷ Seed ÷ Write, a collaboration with Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo featuring a coming-together of literature and community gardening
- University at Buffalo Center for the Arts will receive $30,000 to support the “Wanderlust” exhibition featuring hands-on learning with visiting artists, public lectures and professional development for K-12 art teachers
- White Pine Press was awarded $10,000 toward the promotion of books of poetry & prose
Local agencies received funding through the NEA’s Art Works program which “supports the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts.” Nationwide 970 grants totaling close to $26 million were awarded through the Art Works program.
Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the largest national funder of the arts in the United States. On average, every dollar in NEA funding leverages another nine dollars in arts funding from other sources. Nationally, the nonprofit arts industry generates $135.2 billion annually in economic activity.
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