QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) — More than a hundred artists and groups in Queens are receiving grants to help fund their creative initiatives.
It’s all a part of the Queens Arts Fund, which will distribute nearly half a million dollars this year.
The Queens Arts Fund is an annual grant program that supports arts in the borough. It is funded by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts.
“This is your New York City tax dollars going into your community,” said Laurie Cumbo, the commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs. “Queens is the most diverse borough in New York City, as we know. There’s so much creativity, diversity and artists from all around the world, and this incredible fund allows them to realize their ideas.”
In total, nearly $460,000 will be given out to 138 Queens-based artists, artist collectives and groups. The recipients include poets, photographers, performance artists and musicians, among others.
The New York Foundation for the Arts said the goal of the fund is also to support groups who share their art with the community.
“It is really important to us when the panel reviews that there are many opportunities for the public to experience whatever it is that’s going on,” said Michael Royce, the CEO of the New York Foundation for the Arts.
Aurora Reyes and her husband, Basilio Georges, who are residents of Jackson Heights, Queens, have a love for all things flamenco.
“It’s a means of expression,” Reyes said. “You’re constantly communicating and expressing your life as reflected through flamenco.”
That’s why they started Flamenco Latino, a dance company that infuses jazz, salsa, blues and even hip hop with flamenco.
Five years ago they started Mas Alla, a series of summer concerts and events. The nonprofit said putting the series together is an expensive undertaking.
“It would be next to impossible to produce this event without some kind of grant funding,” Georges said.
That’s why they applied for the Queens Arts Fund to support the series.
“We were ecstatic we got the full award! That’s never happened to us before,” Reyes said.
Flamenco Latino said it is extremely grateful for the support.
“Queens, it’s the world’s county, and there’s so much diversity represented that needs to be supported,” Reyes said.
The couple is hoping the investments not only continue but also grow.
