The Broome County Arts Council (BCAC) has announced $259,110 in 2023 United Cultural Fund (UCF) awards to 21 local artists, arts organizations and community non-profits.
Applicant statistics in Broome County reflected a nationwide picture, according to BCAC, with a greater number of medium-size and large arts organizations seeking deeper levels of grant support to counteract loss of revenue due to COVID lockdown in 2020. However, more individual artists and small arts organizations seemed to demonstrate a renewed faith in the recovery of the arts by launching fresh, new programs.
“Altogether, this paints a very positive picture of creativity and economic recovery through the arts in Broome County,” said Deb Colón, BCAC Board Chair.
UCF General Operations awards totaling $202,557 were granted to Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, Bundy Museum of History and Art, Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, Endicott Performing Arts Center, Goodwill Theatre & Firehouse Stage, LUMA, Roberson Museum and Science Center and Tri-Cities Opera.
Project awards of up to $1,000 each were given to support the work of individual artists and smaller, community arts projects. The BCAC also received UCF funds for general operations and programming.
Project recipients are Binghamton Community Orchestra (“Far East to Near East, North to South”), Binghamton Downtown Singers (Spring Concert 2023), Binghamton University Foundation (Binghamton Poetry Project), Binghamton Theater Organ Society (Charlie Chaplin double feature with live organ accompaniment by Dennis James), Binghamton Youth Symphony, Cazenovia Convention at Phelps Mansion Museum, Cornell Cooperative Extension (Much Ado in the Garden), Endwell Community Chorus (“Bouncing Back Better After the Pandemic”), Kopernik Observatory and Science Center (8th EXPOSURE: a screening of art films with astronomical images), Madrigal Choir of Binghamton (“The American Songbook: From Gershwin to Now!”), Nanticoke Valley Historical Society (Visions of Maine, NY 175 years), Phelps Mansion Museum (Live Character Tour of the Phelps) and Vestal Museum and Coal House (Second Saturday Live Music Series 2023).
Major donors to the UCF fund-raising campaign included the Stewart W. & Willma C. Hoyt Foundation, Broome County Government, the Dr. G. Clifford & Florence B. Decker Foundation, the Miller S. & Adelaide S. Gaffney Foundation, Mediabrush Marketing, Sentry Alarms, Aaron Callaway, Dr. Pamela Smart, Miller Auto Team, Helen Insinger, Catherine Machlin and other local businesses and individuals who believe in the value of arts investment.
Since 1987, the BCAC’s United Cultural Fund has distributed more than $11 million to the arts in Broome County, while serving the more than 100,000 residents of the county. UCF grantees typically return $3-$4 million to Broome County’s economy, annually, according to the BCAC.
