As of April 1, two local organizations will be launching a collaborative effort to help keep the members of Western New York's cultural community in good health. The Amherst Chamber of Commerce and the Arts Services Initiative (ASI) of Western New York will be partnering to provide group health insurance to those who work [...]
When the troubled Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County went out of business in 2010, so did its popular group health insurance plan that provided affordable coverage for hundreds of area artists and cultural workers. But thanks to a deal struck this week between the newly formed Arts Services Initiative and the Amherst Chamber [...]
Amherst Chamber of Commerce Announces Partnership with Arts Services Initiative Partnership between Amherst Chamber of Commerce & Arts Services Initiative formed The Arts Services Initiative of Western New York (ASI) and the Amherst Chamber of Commerce (CoC) today announced a partnership that will provide group health insurance for the cultural sector, effective April 1, 2012. [...]
 A deal through the Amherst Chamber of Commerce will make health benefits available to the arts community. More than 1,000 artists and cultural workers will gain access to health insurance programs through a new agreement between the Arts Services Initiative of WNY and the Amherst Chamber of Commerce. The partnership provides group health insurance, [...]
Many arts and cultural organizations are breathing a sigh of relief after the electoral ousting of County Executive Chris Collins, who during his tenure reduced and eliminated their funding. Now they’re looking to move forward, more unified after organizing against Collins’ cuts, and with a stronger support system with the creation of the Arts Services [...]
For the arts and culture in Western New York, 2011 began in crisis and ended in triumph. In January, the small and midsized cultural groups of Erie County were still reeling from County Executive Chris Collins' decision to cut them out of the county budget. Twelve months later, after a period of unprecedented solidarity and [...]
 Tod A. Kniazuk, new point man for local cultural groups, has already seen success in restoring government funding. On Nov. 18, less than two weeks after Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz beat incumbent Chris Collins in the race for county executive, a quartet of arts supporters gathered in the chambers of the Erie County [...]
Relief. That’s the feeling in the air five days after Erie County residents voted County Executive Chris Collins out of office and chose Comptroller Mark Poloncarz as his replacement. By Colin Dabkowski, News Arts Critic, The Buffalo News, Published:November 13, 2011, 12:00 AM Nightmare over for arts_ challenges lie ahead 111311
Over the past 20 years, the theaters, art galleries and dance companies of Western New York have huddled together under any number of cultural umbrellas. Now, they may be seeing the region's most powerful and broadly based cultural organization to date, the new Arts Services Initiative. By Colin Dabkowski, News Arts Critic, The Buffalo News, Published:August 22, [...]
