ART$WCHALLENGE RAISES MORE THAN $1M - Westfair Communications

Workshop at Westchester Children”™s Museum, one of the 120 eligible arts groups for the Art$WChallenge Grant Program. Courtesy Westchester Children”™s Museum.

ArtsWestchester in White Plains honored County Executive George Latimer and the Board of Legislators on Jan. 29 for their partnership in the 2020 Art$WChallenge Grant campaign that raised $1,111,746 for 85 local arts and culture organizations.

“This unprecedented outpouring of private support for large and small arts groups throughout the county demonstrates the high esteem that many Westchester residents have for the vital role art and culture play in our collective quality of life,” said Janet Langsam, ArtsWestchester”™s CEO. “We are grateful to all this year”™s arts donors and especially thankful to our county executive and our county legislators for their longtime commitment to the arts and for investing an additional $250,000 in matching funds into the 2020 Challenge program at a time when the arts are struggling. Their additional investment enabled 60 cultural organizations to participate for the first time in this important grant program at this unprecedented time.”

Nioka Workman of Firey String Sistas performing in a concert presented by PJS Jazz Society, one of the eligible arts groups for the Art$WChallenge Grant Program.

The Art$WChallenge enabled local groups to raise $757,993 from private donors by Dec. 31, which was matched by $353,753 in county funding. The amount of private donations raised was the most raised by the campaign since it launched in 2007.

“Despite the havoc caused by Covid-19, the Westchester arts community has rallied in a way that continues to provide engaging virtual and in-person cultural programs for county residents,” said Latimer. “However, to support these programs, given the canceled events and decline in ticket sales, groups have had to get creative with fundraising. This is where the Art$WChallenge matching grant program helped.”

“Since the inception of the Art$WChallenge in 2007, a total of $4.7 million in private money has been raised and invested in Westchester County”™s cultural sector,” said Benjamin Boykin, chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators.