Assembly Resolution No. 977

BY: M. of A. Woerner

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of Yaddo

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose
commitment to promoting artists and their art has contributed to the
strength, vitality, and cultural enrichment of the State, Nation, and
world; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Yaddo of Saratoga Springs, New
York; and

WHEREAS, Founded by financiers and philanthropists Spencer and
Katrina Trask and philanthropist George F. Peabody in 1900, Yaddo is an
artist retreat intended for artists to reside and work on creative
endeavors in a uniquely quiet and secluded atmosphere; and

WHEREAS, Spencer and Katrina Trask initially purchased the 400-acre
Saratoga Springs, New York, property in 1881, but a fire burned the
original mansion to the ground, tragically killing their four children
in the process; and

WHEREAS, Determined to rebuild, and fueled by a unique vision,
Spencer and Katrina Trask transformed their estate and land into the
Yaddo artists retreat; Yaddo was named intentionally, as the name means
"unconquered by flame," which reflects their vision for healing and
creation after the devastating fire that tore apart their home and
family; and

WHEREAS, The official opening of Yaddo and the arrival of its first
guests occurred in 1926, after the death of both Spencer and Katrina
Trask; and

WHEREAS, The estate in Saratoga Springs, New York, features a
historic rebuilt mansion, woods, lakes, and famous gardens, parts of
which are open to the public; in 2014, the iconic Yaddo estate was
designated a National Historic Landmark; and

WHEREAS, Over the past century since its opening, Yaddo has offered
writers, composers, and visual artists uninterrupted space and time to
foster creativity through a supportive environment; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of Pulitzer winners, Nobel laureates, cultural
icons, and renowned artists have passed through Yaddo, including James
Baldwin, Sylvia Plath, John Cheever, Leonard Bernstein, Langston Hughes,
and Truman Capote; and

WHEREAS, Artists typically reside at Yaddo for two to eight weeks,
and those who are interested must apply to be admitted by an advisory
committee of professional artists; the demand for staying at Yaddo is
high, and in 2024 there were 2,662 applicants; and

WHEREAS, Yaddo is a non-profit, and its operations are supported by
grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, the National
Endowment for the Arts, private funding, and corporate funding; and

WHEREAS, Yaddo was initially overseen by Executive Director
Elizabeth Ames before her retirement in 1969, and has since been
overseen by presidents Newman E. Waite, Curtis Harnack, Myra Skanew,
Michael Sundell, and, as of present, Elaina Richardson; and

WHEREAS, Since beginning her presidency in 2000, Elaina Richardson
has transferred archival records to the New York Public Library and
collaborated in a 2008 exhibition, expanded the endowment, grew the
applicant pool, opened Yaddo's first movement-based studio, built a
greenhouse, and opened five new working studios; and

WHEREAS, For 100 years, Yaddo has served as a unique sanctuary for
artists from near and far, and its success is a testament to the
importance of dedicated artistic spaces throughout our communities; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Yaddo; and be it further

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