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Only One Rockland County Cultural Organization Received Funding In The Latest Round Of State Grants For Capital Projects

The New York State Council on the Arts’ Capital Projects Fund announced $86 million in awards to 134 organizations to support arts infrastructure throughout the state. The awards are intended to boost local economies, expand access to the arts, and support job creation.

The funding, provided to non-profit arts and cultural organizations, supports building renovations, accessibility improvements and the construction of new spaces for creative and cultural work.

“Our arts and culture sector is a powerhouse, inspiring the world with innovation and creativity,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “By investing in our museums, our theaters and our arts centers, we enrich our communities, strengthen local economies and improve tourism all over the State.”

Of the 134 organizations receiving grants, 21 are located in the Mid-Hudson Region. Of those 21 awards totaling $4.562 million, Rockland County secured only one award for Garnerville Arts Project, Inc. for $87,000 for window replacements in one of its gallery spaces. Robin E. Rosenberg, is President & CEO, GARNER Historic District, and is also a Regional Council Member of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Council.

Dutchess County netted $2.294 million for five projects. Westchester received $1.24 million for six projects; Ulster, $425,000 for five projects; Sullivan $417,000 for three projects; and Orange $99,000 for one project.

Below is a full, searchable, list of award recipients:

The bulk of the funding went to New York City based organizations ($37.1 million) with other regions largely netting more than the Mid-Hudson. The Finger Lakes ($13.8 million), Long Island ($6.38 million), Mohawk ($6,26 million), Southern ($5.86 million) and Western ($6.56 million) regional awards all surpassed the Mid-Hudson.

Every year, non-profits and cultural arts organizations in the Mid-Hudson Region vie for millions in grants and awards from various New York State agencies.

It remains unclear as to why Rockland County gets such a small slice of the pie, compared to other contenders (Westchester, Orange, Putnam, Ulster, Dutchess and Sullivan) in the Mid-Hudson Region given that the county has the third largest economy and the third largest population, according to recent government data.

Rockland has not fared well in other areas. RCBJ recently reported that Rockland County received the smallest share of state grants and awards compared to other counties in the Mid-Hudson Region for the past three years running from a variety of state sources.

According to the state, NYSCA’s Capital Projects for Arts and Culture are strategic investments that empower organizations to better serve and engage their communities. They enable arts and cultural venues to become more physically accessible and sustainable, enhancing organizations’ abilities to connect with their audiences and become essential destinations for residents and visitors alike. Strong projects combine excellence in design with informed decisions that will serve and strengthen New York’s arts and cultural sector, stimulate local economies, catalyze investment in our communities, and help to ensure the vibrancy of our cultural organizations.