Senate Resolution No. 571

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of
ArtsWestchester on April 9, 2025

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes great pride in recognizing and
celebrating institutions of historical and cultural significance that
have played an essential role in shaping our communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of ArtsWestchester of Westchester
County, New York, to be celebrated at its 2025 Arts Award ceremony on
Wednesday, April 9, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Guided by the admirable mission to create an equitable,
vibrant, and sustainable Westchester County in which the arts are
integral to and integrated into every facet of life, ArtsWestchester has
been a pillar for artists, art appreciators, and community members from
various walks of life in Westchester County; and

WHEREAS, At its core, ArtsWestchester is founded and operated upon
the belief that the arts are for everyone, and that art can offer
countless opportunities for advancement, personal growth, and community
empowerment; and

WHEREAS, Despite starting as a mere conversation amongst arts
advocates and volunteers in a living room in 1965, ArtsWestchester was
recognized as Westchester County's designated arts council only ten
years later in 1975; this designation allows the organization to better
serve the county's communities, cultural organizations, and artists
in-residence through grants and technical support; and

WHEREAS, In 1998, ArtsWestchester's community and cultural impact
was amplified through its acquisition of a renovated, nine-story,
neo-classical bank building in White Plains, New York, which the
organization repurposed into both its headquarters and a local resource
center for artists and members of the community; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, ArtsWestchester has become New York
State's largest private, not-for-profit cultural service organization;
through its partnership with the Westchester County Government, the
organization has invested more than 35 million dollars over the years in
arts and culture in the county; and

WHEREAS, The dedicated staff and volunteers of ArtsWestchester have
worked tirelessly to uphold its longstanding reputation, and together
they have committed to supporting all individuals that engage with their
organization and programs; and

WHEREAS, For 60 years, ArtsWestchester has served as a testament to
the important connection between art and community, and this noble
organization has proven the undeniable impact that art can have on
residents and visitors in Westchester County; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of ArtsWestchester of Westchester
County, New York, recognizing its cultural significance and its
continued service to the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to ArtsWestchester.