Bronx Council on the Arts - Grants Award Celebration Show How Philanthropy Supports Community Art
By Oyiza Adaba with Fortune EhiwayAs
Photo: Africa-Related
The Bronx Council on the Arts is a place where community arts and philanthropy connect
The BCA is a non-profit organization. Just like all the other art cooperatives in New York City's five boroughs, it raises money and provides a venue for the borough's resident artists to flourish. The Council’s calendar of activities is a clear testament to the residents artistics resources.
On May 9th more than 50 people gathered to witness artists and community leaders receive grant funding at an in-person celebration that was held at the BCA headquarters in the Bronx's East Tremont district. Amid light refreshments and a performance by a Japanese American artist who combined American culture with Japanese art; grantees, jury members, and officials from the art financing and community art space also took the opportunity to network.
Programs Manager, Dionne Dauxy, presented 45 awards totaling about 60,000 USD to selected candidates. They include individuals and groups who support art in a variety of disciplines, such as music, visual arts, art education/promotion, film, poetry, etc.
BCA Executive Director Viviana Bianci spoke on the value of the council's work in raising finances and public awareness while decrying the ongoing financial cuts to the arts. Jazz saxophonist and jury member Mr. Tyrone Brikett described the ceremony as "a rewarding experience for any artist".
A number of the grant recipients that Africa-Related spoke with commended the initiative and the impact of the funds. Blanka Amezkua, a Mexican-American contemporary artist who runs AAA3A believes artists in the Bronx are the most overlooked. Her grant money will ensure she continues her home-based artist-run project which offers food, dialogue, workshops and art.
More than 50 people gathered to witness artists and community leaders receive grant funding at the BCA headquarters in the Bronx's East Tremont district.
During the 2023 edition of iRep, the annual documentary festival in Nigeria, which had its focus on documenting underserved stories, filmmakers and art promoters alike all cited the lack of funding as the major challenge in any art space.
Because of this, many projects fizzle out or get stuck for a very long time. Organizations like the Bronx Council on the Art have fantastic models to follow in a time when creators must manage their business affairs while maintaining their creative abilities.
For more information, visit bronxarts.org