City of Rochester
News Release
(Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023) – As part of the City’s
Percent for the Arts program, Mayor Malik D. Evans announced that $100,000 has
been awarded to local artists and arts organizations through ArtsBloom, an
initiative to fund arts education,
performing arts and temporary art programming across Rochester.
“ArtsBloom gives a platform for the City to support Rochester’s
creative community and offer diverse arts programming to residents, a win-win
for a city that is home to so many artists and art lovers,” said Mayor Malik D.
Evans. “We had more than 50 applicants, and the competition was intense.
Congratulations to the awardees, we are fortunate to live in a city with such a
wealth of talent.”
In this inaugural round, ArtsBloom awards will fund six projects:
- The Avenue Blackbox Theatre: $20,000 to co-sponsor the
theatre’s fifth production season with Monroe County.
- Borinquen
Dance Theatre: $20,000 for performances and a Juneteenth celebration that
will include a performance and dance workshop.
- Flower City Arts Center: $20,000 to develop a creative
entrepreneurship focus for its youth program, “Expanding the Field.”
- “In
This Moment: Revolution Reckoning Reparation”: $10,000 to produce issues
of the chapbook co-created by Amanda Chestnut and Jeanne Strazzabosco.
- Revelation
Rochester Art Center (Richmond Futch, Jr.): $10,000 for year-round arts
classes for guests of the House of Mercy and St. Joseph’s House of
Hospitality.
- Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra: $20,000 for the
Orchestral Program for Urban Students, providing year-round music education and
performance opportunities for Rochester youth.
Proposals for the next round of ArtsBloom funding will
be solicited in Jan. 2024 for programming happening from July 1, 2024 to June
30, 2025.
The Percent for the Arts program aligns with the City’s vision for a
more dynamic and equitable city of and for the arts as outlined in the Arts & Culture section
of the Rochester 2034 Comprehensive Plan.
The concept for ArtsBloom was developed in partnership with an advisory
panel of local artists and arts community members called the Arts and Creative
Community Committee (AC3).
More information on the City’s various arts and culture initiatives,
including those dedicated to capital art (permanent physical installations), go
to www.cityofrochester.gov/arts.
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The Administration of Mayor Malik
D. Evans strives to create a safe, equitable and prosperous
Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone. Guided by
the Administration’s Mission, Vision and Values and the
principles of the “Rochester 2034”
comprehensive plan, City employees are committed to providing
exceptional customer service, transparent stewardship, and collaborative
leadership to foster a vibrant community that empowers personal, professional
and generational growth for all who live, work or play in the city of
Rochester.