Bringing Art to Life
Since it was founded in 1963, the Huntington Arts Council has inspired and aided in the growth of art organizations and individual artists now flourishing in Suffolk County. Serving as the catalyst for arts advocacy is the essence of our charter at the Huntington Arts Council, a not-for-profit that inspires lives and minds through education, entertainment and intellectual motivation, ensuring each of us a place for expression and creativity.
The Council provides many diverse programs and services to more than 600 individual and cultural organization members. More than 80% of its operating budget is dedicated to these programs each year. The Huntington Arts Council has been designated a "Primary Institution" by the New York State Council on the Arts, a title meaning "vital to the cultural life of New York State." The Council is also the official arts coordinating agency for the Town of Huntington, and it serves as the primary regranting agency on Long Island for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).
Galleries & Exhibitions
The Huntington Arts Council promotes artistic creativity throughout the year by showcasing its members' work in two galleries: the Main Street Petite Gallery in Huntington village, and the Art-trium Gallery in Melville. At least 12 exhibition programs are administered annually, drawing viewers from both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Showcases feature individual Council artists in solo, group or juried shows. Artists throughout Long Island are invited to enter juried shows at the Main Street Petite Gallery.
Communications
The Council's newspaper, Arts Cultural News, is a widely-read promotional vehicle for member events, programs and other developments of interest to the area. The Council distributes free of charge more than 90,000 copies of each quarterly issue, with a copy mailed to every home in the Town of Huntington.
Live Performances
The Huntington Summer Arts Festival is one of the most engaging events the Huntington Arts Council produces each year. This eight-week festival, presented by the Town of Huntington, features more than 40 free outdoor concerts and performances from national and international talent. The incredible lineup of performers gives the public unfettered access to comedy or drama, jazz or blues, classical or pop, Americana or international, all at the Chapin Rainbow Stage, Long Island's premier public stage, in Heckscher Park.
Arts in Education
The Huntington Arts Council, through its Journey program, provides multi-cultural programs to more than 45,000 K-12 students in seven school districts. It also offers in-service training workshops for educators each fall. The Council provides hands-on learning activities through the use of Discovery Chests to help youngsters become more aware of the world's various cultures. Professional artists from diverse cultures provide classroom presentation, residencies, performances and workshops.
Grants for the Arts
The Huntington Arts Council participates in two major granting programs, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Decentralization Grant, and the JPMorgan Chase Regrant Program. The NYSCA program fosters the arts by funding arts organizations and individual artists in Suffolk County. The JPMorgan Chase Regrant Program funds operations, equipment and community-based arts and cultural projects in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Support
The Huntington Arts Council receives support from the New York State Council on the Arts, the Town of Huntington, the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Suffolk County Delegation of the New York State Assembly and Senate, corporations, foundations and individuals. Partner school districts include: Commack, Elwood, Harborfields, Huntington, Northport/East Northport, Plainview/Old Bethpage and South Huntington.
You can support us, too, as a volunteer at the Huntington Arts Council! We are always looking for volunteers to help out in our office. If you are interested, please send a cover letter and a resume to the attention of Caitlin Apostoli, Huntington Arts Council, 213 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743 or email to info@huntingtonarts.org.
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