FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Historic Richmond Town awarded $20,000 by the New York State Council on the Arts
Staten Island, NY– Historic Richmond Town began its 2023 year by announcing a grant award totaling $20,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the recovery of the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Following New York State’s historic investment for the arts, NYSCA has awarded $90 million since Spring 2022 to a record number of artists and organizations across the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul said, “As a cultural capital of the world, New York State is strengthened by our expansive coverage of the arts across all 62 counties. This year's historic commitment to the arts sector will spur our continuing recovery from the pandemic and set the course for a stronger future."
Historic Richmond Town interprets and restores a living history village, operates a historical museum, and collects and preserves material culture to inspire engagement with and understanding of the diverse histories of Staten Island.
“Despite these challenges brought on by the pandemic, HRT managed to continue to serve our community with new virtual offerings and reimagined in-person programming that kept the community safe, healthy, and engaged with our mission,” said Historic Richmond Town CEO, Jessica B. Phillips. “As we emerge from the pandemic years, the generosity of NYSCA will help support our efforts to re-engage the public in full force; with our traditional, much loved events such as the Richmond County Fair and Old Home day, as well as a variety of new interpretive programs and workshops designed to immerse the public in centuries of our local history.”
NYSCA Executive Director Mara Manus said, “We are immensely grateful to Governor Hochul and the Legislature for their unprecedented investment of $240 million to support arts organizations across the state. New York State arts organizations such as Historic Richmond Town are the cornerstone of our vibrant arts economy. As crucial drivers of our health and vitality, we are grateful to the unwavering dedication of arts workers across the state.”
NYSCA Chair Katherine Nicholls said, “On behalf of the entire Council, I congratulate Historic Richmond Town on this grant award. Their creative work provides the benefits of the arts to both their community and all of New York. Arts organizations are essential, leading our tourism economy and fueling sectors such as hospitality, transit, and Main Streets across our state.”
About the New York State Council on the Arts
NYSCA preserves and advances the arts and culture that make New York State an exceptional place to live, work and visit. NYSCA upholds the right of all New Yorkers to experience the vital contributions the arts make to our communities, education, economic development, and quality of life. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, NYSCA will award record funding in FY 2023, providing support across the full breadth of the arts.
NYSCA further advances New York's creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, NYSCA is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit http://www.arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA's Facebook page, Twitter @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.
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About Historic Richmond Town:
Historic Richmond Town interprets and restores a living history village, operates a historical museum, and collects and preserves material culture to inspire engagement with and understanding of the diverse histories of Staten Island. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in all our activities. We believe building an inclusive and equitable environment is an ongoing, active process that requires constant and deliberate attention. We strive to build truly accessible spaces, a culture of diversity of voice and representation, and equity for all.
Historic Richmond Town
441 Clark Avenue
718-351-1611
www.historicrichmondtown.org
Historic Richmond Town is a non-profit educational cultural institution. Programs and events help raise funds to support the mission. Historic Richmond Town is operated by the Staten Island Historical Society, a Section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation instituted and incorporated in 1856.
Press Contact:
Amy Kennard
Director of External Affairs, Historic Richmond Town
718-351-1611, ex. 266