MISSION: The Cultural Alliance of Niagara (CAN) is a member-powered collaborative that positions Niagara County’s flourishing arts and cultural sector as a vital regional asset and visitor destination, essential to the region’s economic success and quality of life. HISTORY: CAN was formed in the mid-1980s when cultural tourism was taking shape in Niagara County. An early advocate of this important economic development strategy, CAN quickly became a critical partnership between the region’s arts, cultural, and heritage organizations to raise awareness of its destinations and to secure funding and support. During the 1990s, CAN collected data to demonstrate the remarkable economic impact of Niagara County’s arts, heritage, and cultural sites and shared the information at an annual reception for state and county public officials. The group later coordinated “training days” for Leadership Niagara, highlighting Niagara County’s cultural profile, and continues to update and distribute the data through a collaborative marketing brochure. Today, CAN’s goal is to increase familiarity and foster partnerships among business, community, and civic leaders in Niagara County and to integrate the sector into the life of its residents. ASI works closely with CAN by providing administrative support and guidance. Check out Arts Niagara, CAN’s new events calendar highlighting the exciting arts and cultural activities in Niagara County.

Frontline Arts Buffalo seeks to support frontline arts and cultural organizations in Buffalo in their transition from conditions of precarity to viability. They are a collaboration of artists, arts administrators, engaged citizens, justice advocates, and policy researchers. They work to call attention to the work that frontline arts institutions have done in the past and continue to do today. They maintain communities, contribute to society, and create culture, often with very limited resources and public recognition. FAB wants to engage the public in conversations about how to support these organizations and advocate for the importance of funding them in an equitable and sustainable way.

APL is a regional partnership that was formed in 2011 with the vision to create opportunities for arts and cultural organizations and professional artists to work with schools and ultimately improve the educational outcomes for children. Led by a Leadership Team composed of leaders from the arts, cultural, education, and philanthropic sectors of Western New York, APL aims to bring arts and cultural programs to schools that are standards-based and integrated throughout the curriculum. Now in its tenth year, APL comprises over 20 partners from the arts and cultural community who offer over 30 programs to area schools. APL hosts professional development events for partners and others seeking best practices from across the country to improve the educational outcomes for students.