GO ART! receives grant
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo recently awarded more than $930,000 to a variety of Western New York organizations, including the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council in Batavia.
Those non-profit organizations that received funding met at least one of the following goals valued by the Community Foundation: Improving educational achievement and workforce readiness, increase racial/ethnic equity, protect and restore environmental resources & promote equitable access, and strengthen the region as a center for architecture, arts and culture.
GO ART!, which has previously received an award from the Community Foundation, was awarded $20,000 that will be used for safety and security upgrades at Seymour Place, 201 East Main St., Batavia.
“GO ART!’s staff spends a lot of time writing grants; it is always a great blessing when we receive one, especially at the full amount requested. These upgrades have been needed for a long time,” said GO ART! Executive Director Gregory Hallock. “We cannot express enough how grateful we are. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is an incredible organization. We owe them accolades for all they have done for GO ART! and our community,”
GO ART! received a grant worth $14,500 from the Community Foundation in 2013 that helped the arts council pay for a sign on the outside of the building and lighting, along with some minor electrical work inside such as replacing electrical outlets.
GO ART! has a vision of transforming the community through investment in the arts. The organization helps to provide cultural opportunities and inspire creativity.
The arts council has operated out of its current location since 2002 when it was bestowed the building by the Batavia Club. In 2010, the arts council formally renamed the cultural center as GO ART! Seymour Place in recognition of the contributions of long-time community volunteers Dick and Kathy Seymour. The Seymours, retired educators from Batavia, played a key role in helping the arts council’s renovation and rehabilitation project reach a successful conclusion. Renovations were completed in July 2009.
The brick building was built as the Bank of Genesee in 1831. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Community Foundation had additional funding available this year, increasing the amount of funding awarded to organizations.
Other non-profit organizations that received funding included Learning Disabilities Association of WNY, Providence Farm Collective, and Springville Center for the Arts.
The Foundation expects donation amounts to return to past levels in the future. The grants are made possible by the generosity of individuals, families and foundations. For more information about the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo visit cfgb.org.
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo emphasizes long-term philanthropy in Western New York. Its mission is to connect people, ideas, and resources to improve the lives of those living in the region. Their efforts, combined with local communities, allow the Foundation to help charitable organizations continue to grow and make a difference, foundation officials said in a news release.