CNY Arts, Inc.

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Syracuse Common Council Approves Mayor Walsh's $2.1 Million Pandemic Relief Package

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said the Syracuse Common Council’s unanimous approval today of $2.1 million in pandemic relief proves how the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is helping people recover from COVID-19. The package of programs will enable Syracuse school students to make the transition to college, help arts and culture organizations bounce back from the pandemic and give individuals and families direct assistance in improving their financial health.

“As the country notes the one-year anniversary of ARPA in March, this latest package of assistance is another example of how the City of Syracuse is ensuring the aid we received is helping people,” said Mayor Walsh. “Our people need ARPA help as badly now as we did one year ago. I appreciate the Common Council’s careful review of our investments. With these new investments, we will get more assistance to students aiming for a college education; the arts and culture sector; and individuals and families who are working to regain their financial footing.”

Arts and Culture Recovery Fund

$1.25 million will help bolster non-profit arts and culture organizations and professional artists in the City of Syracuse, which are being hard hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Arts and Culture Recovery Fund will be created and managed by CNY Arts to assist arts disciplines including architecture, dance, design, music, theater, media, museum activities, visual arts, folk art and arts education.

Arts and culture institutions in Syracuse continue to suffer under the lingering effects of COVID-19. Every dollar of lost revenue has a direct impact on local artists and on the many businesses that rely on arts and culture to prosper.

"The arts bring us together and help define our city and its heritage," said Stephen Butler, Executive Director of CNY Arts. "Thank you, Mayor Walsh and Common Council, for your tremendous support for Syracuse’s amazing arts community and the creation of this program to fund arts organizations and artists impacted by the pandemic.

CNY Arts is deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve by administering these funds, which will help our arts sector, build our local economy and improve quality of life for residents and visitors alike. We look forward to working with the City, its tremendous staff, and elected officials in the months ahead.

OnPoint for College and Home HeadQuarters are also included in the relief package. To read the full announcement, visit the City of Syracuse website