Decentralized Regranting for Equity

Provides arts education programs for high school and grammar school students in Queens, NY, offering structured arts instruction and engagement opportunities.

Commissions choreographers, playwrights, and composers through a juried selection process to support the creation of new artistic work in dance, theater, and music.

Funds individuals and organizations via re-grants to support cultural programming, the creation of new artistic work, and arts initiatives for seniors in Queens.

Administers project-based regranting programs including the NYSCA Statewide Community Regrants Program and NEA American Rescue Plan funds, awarding over $80,000 annually and $100,000 in 2022 to individual artists, municipalities, libraries, and nonprofits in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence Counties, and the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation.

Engages in advocacy efforts to promote increased private and public funding and support for arts initiatives and programming within St. Lawrence County.

Hosts recurring in-person and virtual music and art classes weekly at the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center and via Zoom, including sessions for children, teens, young adults, and therapeutic groups, focusing on singing, movement, instrument playing, visual arts, and creative expression.

Organizes and curates a rotating series of exhibitions including annual, solo, themed, and traveling shows such as “IN FULL COLOR,” “Rooted Wisdom,” “Fragments,” “Harvest,” “Eat the Rich,” and the NCATA Scholars Exhibition, displayed at the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center, Potsdam Town Hall, and other community venues across St. Lawrence County.

Provides a tiered membership program for individuals, families, and students that includes free access to recurring community arts groups such as writing circles, open mic nights, and art groups, along with benefits like event advertising in the SLC Arts eNewsletter.

Operates the Creative Spirit Community Arts Center at 6-8 Raymond Street in Potsdam, NY, featuring a public gallery and shop, open multiple days per week for visitors and hosting exhibitions, classes, and events.

Produces and staffs community arts events including the North Country Arts Festival, PorchFest, NoCo Glow, Ives Park Concert Series, ZineFest, and the Plein Air Festival, featuring live music, performances, interactive activities, and public participation across multiple locations in St. Lawrence County.

Coordinates professional development programs and offers one-on-one application support and info sessions for first-time grant applicants to strengthen capacity among artists and arts organizations in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties.

Offers resource sharing and referral services to support artists, arts organizations, and educational institutions in St. Lawrence County in accessing opportunities and services.

Organizes annual self-guided studio tours that connect the public with regional artists by opening their creative spaces to visitors, promoting engagement with diverse artistic disciplines and creative processes across St. Lawrence County.

Hosts organizational meetings to establish a local chapter of the New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers’ Association, supporting the growth of regional musical traditions and community-based performance networks.

Owns and maintains the village green on Route 30A in the Glen Historic District for community use, including landscaping, planting flowers, and hanging flags. The space is used for public events such as the annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony.

Engages in educational and cultural activities focused on preserving the historic and rural character of the Town of Glen, including its open spaces, agricultural lands, and historic structures. Activities include stewardship of designated historic sites and conservation of rural landscapes.

Organizes and presents public cultural events including an annual Community Concert Series, the Glen Harvest Fest, and the informal musical gathering 'Song Soup,' featuring local musicians and historical performers. These events are held in the Town of Glen and aim to foster community engagement through the arts.

Offers a free four-week chord theory workshop series for musicians of all skill levels, led by instructor Daryl Kosinski, to support local artistic development and community music participation.