Suffolk County Arts and Culture Grants Announced

The annual recipients of Suffolk County grants to arts and cultural institutions and community revitalization initiatives have been announced by County Executive Steven Bellone.

This year, more than $250,000 in grants will be awarded to organizations across the county. The grants are funded in part by proceeds collected from the tax charged for overnight stays in bed and breakfasts, motels and hotels across Suffolk County.

“We are pleased to be able to support such a vibrant and diverse range of programs throughout Suffolk County,” said Executive Bellone.  “Residents and tourists can enjoy music, dance, art and theater all around the county. These programs produce jobs and create economic opportunities for many while ensuring a world-class cultural environment for all.”

Of the $273,066, $5,000 is allocated to the New York Foundation for the Arts for an “artrepreneurship” program, $107,000 for community grants to be administered by the county; $84,848 for grants administered by the Suffolk County Alliance of Arts Councils, and $76,218 for Destination Downtown grants for programs on the East End, Huntington Station, Brookhaven and Patchogue.

The Downtown Destination grant applications were evaluated on their ability to improve the quality of life in downtown business districts, foster community involvement and identity, encourage tourism and economic development, strengthen arts communities and spur economic partnerships and expand access to the arts across income levels.

Successful Downtown Destination grant applicants include the East End Arts and Humanities Council ($13,109,) the Huntington Arts Council ($13,109,) the Patchogue Arts Council ($25,000,) and Brookhaven Arts ($25,000.)

The community grants are to be distributed in $5,000 grants to worthy institutions across Suffolk County. Recipients on the East End include Guild Hall, the Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum, the Pollock-Krasner Center, the Bay Street Theater, the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival, the Byrd Hoffman Foundation at the Water Mill Center and the Perlman Music Program.

The Suffolk County Alliance of Arts Councils distribution of $84,848 included grants to several East End arts organizations including The Children's Museum of the East End, The Southampton Cultural Center and The Parrish Art Museum.