named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Art Workshops
Mini workshops during the festival and other events offering hands-on art-making in watercolor, quilting, poetry, puppetry, and other media.
Arts off Main Festival
Annual family-friendly festival held on Court Street in Cortland, featuring juried art vendors, live music, children's activities, craft beverages, and mini art workshops.
First Fridays
Monthly downtown arts event featuring gallery walks, live performances, and community gatherings.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Annual award recognizing distinguished contributions to the arts in Cortland County, with a ceremony held each September.
Regional Photography Exhibit
Annual exhibition showcasing photographic work from artists in the region, coordinated by an ex-officio board member.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Community Festival & Event Production 3 activities
- Hosts monthly and recurring community arts eventsOrganizes regular community arts programming including monthly First Fridays celebrations, a quarterly art news series, and a Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony to showcase local artistic talent and foster public engagement in the arts.
- Organizes annual Arts Off Main FestivalHosts an annual free, family-friendly festival in Cortland, NY, featuring art vendors, live music, performing artists, children's activities, wine and craft beverage tasting, food from local restaurants, and interactive art workshops. The event has been held annually, including in 2022, 2023, and 2026, with plans for 40 juried vendor spaces.
- Supports local artists through vendor opportunities and recognitionFacilitates artist participation in public events such as the Arts Off Main Festival by maintaining a list of artist vendors and recognizing sponsors throughout the year to promote local artistic talent and economic engagement.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Provides hands-on arts workshops and creative learning opportunitiesOffers a range of participatory arts education programs for all ages, including beginner watercolor painting, quilting, drawing, poetry, watercolor monoprinting, Zentangle, and puppet-making workshops, often in conjunction with public events.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$48K
Contributions & grants$39K81%
Program service revenue$9K18%
Investment income$30%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$63K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$31K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$3K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$948
2 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +58.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROL FITZGERALD | DIRECTOR | 15 | $29K |
| EMILY GIBBONS | DIRECTOR | 15 | $11K |
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- Beard Electric LLC Partner — Recognized as a friend and supporter of the organization
- Beard Electric LLC Partner — Sponsors the Arts Off Main Festival as a friend-level contributor.
- Board of Realtors Partner — Recognized as a friend and supporter of the organization
- Central New York Technology Development Organization Partner — Participates in the Arts Off Main Festival as a friend-level partner.
- Central New York Technology Development Organization Partner — Recognized as a friend and supporter of the organization
- Cortland Arts Connect Network — Member organization collaborating with the Cultural Council of Cortland County to advance local arts and culture.
- Cortland Arts Connect Network — Member organization hosting the vendor event
- Cortland Arts Connect Partner — Co-hosts the Arts Off Main Festival.
- Cortland Beer Company Partner — Provided wine and craft beverages for the wine garden at the Arts Off Main Festival.
- Cortland County Legislature Government — Designated Philip Asaph as Cortland County’s first Poet Laureate.
- Dan and Rose McNeil Foundation Partner — Provided music sponsorship for the Arts Off Main Festival.
- David Graybeard Band Partner — Performs original Americana, roots, and blues music at events hosted by the organization.
- Eltimar Design Partner — Sponsors the Arts Off Main Festival as a supporter-level contributor.
- Finger Lakes Tasting Room Partner — Provided wine and craft beverages at the 2022 Arts Off Main Festival.
- Groton Art Class Partner — Collaborates to provide experienced instructors for watercolor workshops.
- LilySilly Puppet Theater Partner — Provides puppet theater performances with educational and emotional learning goals at organization events.
- McNeil Development Partner — Provided music sponsorship for the Arts Off Main Festival.
- Moore Quality Bookkeeping Partner — Recognized as a friend and supporter of the organization
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides funding support for the Arts Off Main Festival.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides grant funding to support the organization's programming.
- Peck Library Partner — Co-hosts children's presentations and literacy-focused art activities in Marathon.
- Price Chopper Partner — Sponsors the Arts Off Main Festival as a patron-level supporter.
- R.E.S. Sales Professionals Partner — Sponsors the Arts Off Main Festival as a supporter-level contributor.
- Refrigerated Transport Electronics, Inc. Partner — Sponsors the Arts Off Main Festival as a patron-level supporter.
- Walsh Law Partner — Sponsors the Arts Off Main Festival as a workshop-level supporter.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Arts-Based Emotional and Social Learningmethodology: experiential_poverty_simulationBy using art forms like puppetry and hands-on creative instruction, the Council fosters empathy, compassion, and skill-building in participants of all ages, because experiential artistic engagement creates accessible pathways for emotional development and personal confidence.
- Community-Engaged Arts Programmingmethodology: community-engaged-artsBy connecting artists, arts organizations, and community members through locally driven events and programs, the Cultural Council increases public access to and participation in the arts because shared ownership and visibility foster sustained cultural engagement.
- Inclusive Artist Participation Modelmethodology: client_choice_modelBy requiring original artwork and using an open application process for festival vendors, the Council ensures authentic local artist representation, because structural inclusion and creative integrity increase community trust and artistic quality.