FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NYS Raises Funding Status of Partners for Arts Education

(May 15, 2006; Syracuse) Partners for Arts Education (PAE) was elevated to a “Primary Institution” at the last meeting of the New York State Council of the Arts (NYSCA). Primary Institutions are recognized as “particularly vital to the cultural life of New York State,” and receive a preferred status for funding. While not necessarily increasing the level of funding, Primary Institution designation provides increased stability to the agency’s long term relationship with the state.

NYSCA is required to award at least 50% of its Local Assistance funds to "eligible arts organizations, which by the quality of their arts services, their stature as arts institutions on a state or national level, or by the importance of their contributions to a significant population or the arts discipline in which they specialize, are particularly vital to the cultural life of New York State, and the loss of which or the diminution of services would, in the opinion of the Council, constitute a serious artistic loss to the people of the state."

Says Laura Reeder, Executive Director of PAE, “We are honored that the NYSCA Council members and staff appreciate the value of our work with children in the arts. We are a relatively young organization, and we are pleased to show that state-wide leadership can originate in Central New York.”

Syracuse-based Partners for Arts Education (PAE) supports arts in education through funding, networking, and technical assistance in Central New York and throughout New York State. In the past five years, it has distributed over $140,000 in art$TART grants to 89 Central New York schools for partnerships between pre-K – 12 school teachers and artists or cultural organizations.

In 2003, NYSCA assigned PAE the task of administering the School Arts Partnership (SAP) grant, which supports similar partnerships throughout the state at a higher funding level. Through SAP, PAE has distributed nearly $350,000 to 54 New York State schools.

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Partners for Arts Education inspires learning and leadership for arts in education in Central New York and throughout New York State. We provide funding and support to deepen and enrich educational experiences in and through the arts for students, teachers and artists.

Partners for Arts Education
Delavan Center Suite 221  501 W. Fayette St.  Syracuse, NY  13202
315.234.9911  info@arts4ed.org  www.arts4ed.org

State of the Arts

NYSCA