LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Bethel Woods Center for the Arts upon
the occasion of being ranked the No. 1 amphitheater in New York State by
POLLSTAR magazine

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay trib-
ute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose commitment to
promoting the richness and diversity of the arts and entertainment world
has contributed to the strength, vitality, and cultural enrichment of
their communities and the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts upon the occasion of being ranked the
No. 1 amphitheater in New York State by POLLSTAR magazine; and
WHEREAS, POLLSTAR magazine is a 30 year old trade journal which covers
the worldwide concert industry; it serves concert promoters, booking
agents, artist managers, venue executives and other professionals
involved in the live entertainment industry; and
WHEREAS, Located in Sullivan County, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
inspires, educates, and empowers individuals through the arts and human-
ities by presenting a diverse selection of culturally-rich performances,
popular artists, and community and educational programming; and
WHEREAS, Located 90 miles from New York City, the lush 800-acre campus
includes a Pavilion Stage amphitheater with seating for 15,000, an inti-
mate 440-seat indoor Event Gallery, the award-winning Museum at Bethel
Woods, and a Conservatory for arts education programming; and
WHEREAS, The POLLSTAR rank is based on attendance figures from the
2015 season; between May and September, more than 200,000 people
attended performances at the Bethel Woods Pavilion; and
WHEREAS, In addition to being ranked the No. 1 amphitheater in New
York State, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is ranked No. 29 on POLLS-
TAR magazine's Top 100 Amphitheaters Worldwide for 2015; and
WHEREAS, Since opening in 2006, nearly two million people have visited
the cultural center and enjoyed the surrounding splendor; this has
encouraged additional investment in the area and led to the opening of
many new businesses; these new economic drivers are generating jobs,
driving tourism revenue, and helping put the Sullivan County Catskills
back on the map; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to the community, Bethel Woods Center for the
Arts has directly generated full-time, part-time and seasonal opera-
tional jobs, not only within the organization, but throughout the area;
in 2015, the Center employed approximately 180 paid seasonal staff and
more than 250 Ovations food service staff on site; and
WHEREAS, The 17th Annual Harvest Festival, a treasured Sullivan County
tradition, has grown from a small farmers' market with a handful of
products, to a full-scale festival, attracting thousands each Sunday
with an ever greater mix of local farmers, crafters and artisans; and
WHEREAS, The Craft Beer Festival, Wine Festival and Holiday Market
also saw increases in attendance, vendors and offerings; and
WHEREAS, New to 2015, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts introduced a
Teaching Artist Program, hiring educators to facilitate the Saturday at
the Woods program, bringing new employment opportunities to Sullivan
County; and
WHEREAS, As Bethel Woods Center for the Arts looks back with great
pride to its beginnings, viewing, with just satisfaction, its successful
evolution, it renews both its dedication to supporting artistic excel-
lence, and its commitment to the community it has served since 2006,

expressing its appreciation to all those who have helped to sustain and
enhance it over the years; and
WHEREAS, The arts are the building blocks of civilization; they are
central to human expression; they enlighten us and inspire the imagina-
tion; educational institutions, individuals, and organizations which
further such worthy purposes richly merit the recognition and appreci-
ation of this Legislative Body and the people of the State of New York;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Bethel Woods Center for the Arts upon the occasion of being
ranked the No. 1 amphitheater in New York State by POLLSTAR magazine;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.