At its March 17 meeting, the Tompkins County Legislature voted to approve $255,850 in Arts and Culture Organizational Development (ACOD) grant funding for 16 local arts and cultural organizations: Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Cinemapolis, Civic Ensemble, Community School of Music and Arts, Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers, Hangar Theatre, Ithaca Children's Garden, Kitchen Theatre Company, Opera Ithaca, Paleontological Research Institution, Running to Places Theatre Company, Sciencenter, State Theatre of Ithaca, The Cherry Arts, The History Center in Tompkins County, and the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts.
This year's grantees are unified in their adaptability and commitment to serving the cultural needs of visitors and community members as we move through the pandemic, and are all working to expand diversity and inclusiveness in their target audience, staff, performers, and programming.
Remarks Megan Barber, Executive Director of the Community Arts Partnership, which administers the County’s Arts and Culture Organizational Development grant program, “We are so grateful to the County for providing this critical funding. That the County makes this a priority is truly a testament to the centrality of the arts to our flourishing community. We are all so fortunate to have so many innovative and inspiring arts and culture organizations right here in our area.”
“I am grateful to the many creative people throughout Tompkins County whose efforts make our community a great place to live and visit.” Said Nick Helmholdt, Tompkins County Tourism Program Director. “The ACOD grant recipients help us find inspiration and joy throughout the year. It’s reassuring that the Strategic Tourism Planning Board and County Legislature understand the vital cultural contributions these organizations offer.”
Arts and Culture Organizational Development grants support local organizations that enhance Tompkins County’s brand as an artistic and cultural destination and in turn enrich the quality of life for residents through their offerings. They are administered by the Community Arts Partnership with funds from the Tompkins County Tourism Program and provide general operating support and funding for specific organizational development activities.
The Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County provides grants, services, and programs to artists and audiences. CAP connects artists and audiences through the Greater Ithaca Art Trail, Ithaca Artist Market, Spring Writes Literary Festival, and the CAP ArtSpace Gallery. CAP provides grants, a professional development workshop series, and other resources for artists. For more information on the Community Arts Partnership and its programs and services, visit www.artspartner.org.
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