Listen to this articleThis year, a total of $358,000 was awarded to 40 artists and 20 arts organizations, through the Huntington Arts Council’s Long Island Grants for the Arts program.
The Huntington Arts Council (HAC) celebrated the grant recipients at a ceremony last week at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington. HAC leaders were joined by more than 90 people, including artists, arts organizations, friends, family and elected officials.
“HAC continues to provide critical support to Long Island’s creative sector through the Long Island Grants for the Arts Program,” HAC Executive Director Kieran Johnson said in a news release about the grants.
The arts are an economic driver to the region, and contributed $330 million to the Long Island economy, according to a 2023 study by the Long Island Arts Alliance.
Johnson said that the evening was “a testament to the dedication of the leadership and staff’s work to support the arts and culture communities across Long Island. It has been, and continues to be, HAC’s goal to nurture the growth of artists and cultural organizations who provide increased access to culture and creativity.”
The organization’s supporters “are looking forward to the remarkable work that will be created through these grants. HAC is grateful to State and Local officials for providing fiscal resources to grow this program. Thank you to Assemblyman Steve Stern, Assemblyman Keith P. Brown and Town Councilman Dr. Dave Bernnardo for attending our event and their words of support.”
The Artist Fellowship Grant prioritizes funding individual artists to support, expand and grow their artistic practice. The Artist Fellowship is a $5,000 grant for individual artists working in all disciplines.
The General Operating Support Grant seeks to provide an impact on strengthening smaller, community-based arts and culture organizations. General Operating Support Grant is for arts and cultural organizations meeting particular fiscal year budget parameters. Funds are awarded at $7,000 or $10,000.
“The arts and culture sector on Long Island spans the length and width of the island,” Patty Eljaiek, HAC’s grants coordinator said in the news release. “It lives in all of the community bands, orchestras, arts councils, theater groups, museums, and artists of all disciplines. They work hard, wherever they can, to create art, music, theater, film and more to share with their communities. I am proud to be part of an organization that supports and advocates for all the artists and organizations providing arts experiences for everyone on Long Island.”
Long Island Grants for the Arts are made possible through funding from the New York State Legislature and the Office of the Governor of New York. HAC’s ongoing grant opportunities, Artist Fellowship General Operating Support and Community Impact Micro Grants, have been tailored to meet the expressed needs of individual artists and non-profit arts organizations throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.