When the COVID pandemic shut down our region in 2020, much of Westchester’s vibrant arts world screeched to a halt. Concerts, classes, and festivals were canceled, and museums, galleries, and exhibitions closed. Those who worked in the arts faced financial hardship, and many residents who built community through the arts felt isolated.
“The pandemic upended Westchester’s arts world,” said Laura Rossi, executive director of The Trust’s Westchester office. “It sent a wake-up call to those of us who care deeply about the arts, highlighting the need for a source of permanent funding to safeguard arts organizations against unexpected crises.”
An answer came when an anonymous donor who had given to The Trust’s Community Needs Fund, which supports nonprofits addressing urgent local issues, asked how else they might help their Westchester community. Rossi shared the need for a source of arts funding for the county that could make grants in perpetuity with the income of invested assets.
The donor responded with a $500,000 challenge grant to help raise one million dollars for The Trust’s Arts & Creative Expression Fund, created to support the arts in Westchester. The grant matched donations from the community dollar-for-dollar.
An energized campaign followed, bringing in donations from families, companies, and foundations across the county and beyond. In the spirit of the fund, some donors used live performances to fundraise.
Gabi Schneider, a student at the Harvey School, an independent high school in Katonah, organizes cabaret nights with other students to raise money for local causes. While researching causes to support, Gabi discovered the campaign for the Westchester Arts & Creative Expression Fund. She was immediately drawn to the opportunity.
“I really liked the idea of giving back to the whole community, not just one organization,” Gabi said.
Efforts like Gabi’s and generous contributions from local donors helped the campaign reach its million-dollar goal. The fund recently made grants to the Brooklyn Steppers to expand a drumline program for young people in Mount Vernon, and to RiverArts to provide free public arts programs along the Rivertowns, including concerts featuring more than 300 musicians across venues in five villages.
“These grants represent a fraction of what this fund will accomplish over time,” said Rossi. “Thanks to neighbors across the county coming together to invest in future generations, the fund will help the Westchester arts scene thrive—and serve Westchester communities—for generations to come.”
