As we bid farewell to 2023, we want to take a moment to celebrate the achievements and successes of Arts Services Inc. and the amazing community of creatives and arts and culture organizations that we serve. We are so grateful for your support, collaboration, and participation in our programs and events throughout the year. You are the reason we do what we do, and we couldn’t have done it without you!

We wanted to share some of our favorite moments and accomplishments from 2023, as well as give you a sneak peek of what we have planned for 2024. We hope you enjoy this recap and join us in looking forward to another exciting year ahead!

Grant Funding

One of our core values at ASI is to provide financial support and resources to the arts and culture sector in Western New York. In 2023, we distributed a total of $550,000 in grant funding to 157 organizations and individuals across the region. These grants helped fund a variety of projects and initiatives, from festivals and exhibitions to workshops and residencies. We are proud to support the diverse and vibrant arts and culture scene in our area and to witness the positive impact of these grants on our community.

Fiscal Sponsorship

Our fiscal sponsorship program, which allows artists and organizations to receive tax-deductible donations and grants without having to establish their own 501©(3) status. In 2023, we fiscally sponsored 41 artists for funding, helping them access more opportunities and resources for their creative endeavors. We also provided them with administrative and financial guidance, as well as access to our network of partners and collaborators.

Public Art Projects

We believe that public art is a powerful way to enhance the quality of life and the sense of place in our communities. That’s why we helped facilitate six calls for work in 2023, including the Hertel Alley Mural Fest, that provided work for 35 artists. These public art projects transformed various spaces and locations in Western New York, adding color, beauty, and meaning to our environment. Here are some of the public art projects we were involved in:

• Hertel Alley Mural Fest – A two-day mural painting festival that featured 26 artists creating individual works of art.
• Burke’s Buffaloes – A public art project commissioned by NYS Assemblymember Patrick Burke’s Office involving the painting four life-sized buffalo statues. Participants include; Akasya Crosier, Bishop Timon, Jenna Katalinich, and Tara Bystran.
• Amherst Policing & Training Facility – Commissioned by Assemblymember Karen McMahon’s Office, showcasing Jalen Law design, “The Future is Amherst.”
• Lancaster and Cheektowaga Polish Heritage Project – Assemblymember Monica Wallace’s Office spearheaded two outdoor public art projects in the heart of the Village of Lancaster and Cheektowaga’s Town Park that pay tribute to the community’s rich Polish heritage.
• Tonawanda Aquatic & Fitness Center – A beautification project proposed by Assemblymember Bill Conrad’s Office allowed two artist to design and implement murals in Tonawanda – Cassie Ott (interior) and Matt Duquette (exterior).

Arts Access

We are committed to making the arts and culture accessible and affordable for everyone in Western New York. That’s why we run the Arts Access program, which provides free or low-cost tickets to cultural events and venues for low-income individuals and families. In 2023, we had 1296 Arts Access passholders who enjoyed a variety of arts and culture experiences throughout the year. We also provided 67 round trips for passholders to attend events. In addition, we offered 30 passholders tickets through the Arts Access Plus program, which allowed them to bring a guest with them to the events.

Creative Connections

We understand the importance of networking and connecting with other creatives and arts and culture professionals in our sector. That’s why we launched our first formal networking event in 2023, called Creative Connections. We were thrilled by the positive feedback and the outcomes of this event, and we look forward to continuing it in 2024!

Training

We believe that professional development and capacity building are essential for the growth and sustainability of the arts and culture sector in Western New York. That’s why we offered 44 professional development opportunities. Programs included;

• Creative Professionals Exchange (CPX) – a one-day conference of interactive, motivating, and discussion-filled sessions led by WNY arts leaders. Topics were curated to suit the needs of our 34 attendees on the theme of how work and play coexist to produce creativity, motivation and a healthier work/life balance.
• Grant on Grants – This was a series of 16 workshops covering the basics and the best practices of grant writing for the arts and culture sector. We had 119 attendees who gained valuable tips and tools for writing effective and compelling grant proposals, as well as for finding and applying for the right grants for their projects and organizations.
• From the Ground Up – A series of 11 virtual presentations and 5 in-person opportunities that we offered on a monthly basis, covering various topics and issues related to the arts and culture sector, such as DEIA, financial management, strategic planning, and more. We had 319 attendees for the virtual presentations and 71 attendees for the in-person opportunities, who learned from the expertise and perspectives of our presenters and facilitators, as well as from the questions and comments of their peers.
• Get to Know – This pilot program kicked off with a panel discussion featuring representatives from regional, visual arts, non-profit organizations. We had 13 attendees who gained insight from professionals in the field.

New Programs!

Based on feedback from the community, we created several new programs in 2023 to meet the changing needs of arts and culture leaders in our region. These programs were designed to provide more support, resources, and opportunities for our sector, as well as to address some of the gaps and challenges that we identified. Here are some of the new programs that we launched in 2023:

• MEDAL Executive Leadership training – A six-month training program that supported 10 emerging arts and culture leaders in Western New York, who were selected through a competitive application process. The program consisted of monthly workshops, coaching sessions, and peer mentoring, covering topics such as vision, strategy, communication, and more.
• Springboard Fellowship – A fellowship program that connected individuals who were interested in pursuing a career in the arts and culture sector to small nonprofits that needed additional staff support. The program provided compensation for the fellows, as well as training and mentoring from ASI and the host organizations. The program aimed to create a pipeline of talent and diversity for the arts and culture sector, as well as to provide valuable experience and exposure for the fellows.
• Grant on Grants – A series of in-person workshops that we offered on grant writing for the arts and culture sector. This was a new program that we launched in 2023, in response to the high demand and interest from our community.
• Expanded From the Ground Up – This was an existing program that we expanded in 2023.