Rep. Maloney Announces National Endowment of the Arts Investment in Two Hudson Valley Organizations

Newburgh - Representative Sean Patrick Maloney announced that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will invest in two Hudson Valley organizations including the Dutchess County Arts Council and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. These investments will help expand the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and expand arts programming along the downtown Main Street corridor of Poughkeepsie.  

“These are strategic investments in jobs and the Hudson Valley economy, helping to revitalize our cities and towns by attracting tens of thousands of tourists to the region every year,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney.  

“The NEA Artworks Award will allow the Dutchess County Arts Council to provide a series of arts and cultural events held on Queen City Saturdays, the third weekend of every month,” said Linda Marston-Reid, the President of the Dutchess County Arts Council. “These events will occur along the Main Street in Poughkeepsie, increasing the grassroots efforts by local stakeholders to improve the blighted neighborhood through the arts.”  

“We are thrilled and grateful for the support of the NEA. This is a true partnership in developing future generations of theater audiences and exposing them to the magic of live theater,” said Abigail Adams, Managing Director of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.  Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival is the largest youth employer in Putnam County and their audience has grown to 39,000 in 2012.  

In total, the NEA is supporting more than 800 organizations in 46 states. NEA grants have a powerful multiplying effect, with each grant dollar typically matched by nine dollars of additional investments in this country's nonprofit arts organizations. Organizations interested in applying for a NEA grant are encouraged to visit www.arts.gov.