The Thrive Project, founded in 2022 as the non-profit arm of the Downtown Artist Cellar, advances arts education by creating an inclusive space for all ages, especially children. We inspire curiosity, nurture creativity, and foster a lifelong commitment to the arts.
Our vision is to inspire artistic expression and community connection through workshops and collaboration. We aim to foster creativity, support artistic growth, and promote the arts as a means of social change and lifelong learning.
We recognize the crucial role a vibrant art community plays in the well-being of its community and people. With continued support, we look forward to extending the scope of our artistic and arts education programming for future generations.
Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo) is a venue for the exchange of ideas and a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) that was founded in 1977. As a center for thoughtful contemporary art, RoCo provides unique encounters for audiences and extraordinary opportunities for artists. We create dialogue & build community through contemporary art.
The Art Effect empowers young people to develop their creative voice to shape their futures and bring about positive social change. The Art Effect helps youth explore, experience, and excel in the arts, introducing them to visual arts and media, giving them the opportunity to develop real skills in these fields, and guiding them towards achieving their academic and career goals. By introducing youth to visual arts and media, it provides opportunities to build practical skills while supporting their academic and career aspirations. The Art Effect believes in the transformative power of the arts to foster a more vibrant, compassionate, and sustainable world—one shaped by a generation that values creativity, diverse perspectives, and meaningful human connections.
Toward opening new possibilities for discovery, thought, and connection, The Flow Chart Foundation explores poetry and the interrelationships of various art forms as guided by the legacy of poet John Ashbery and promotes engagement with his work.
In 2017, Moving Potential was created to bring trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness into the Hudson Correctional Facility (HCF), immediately expanding to create a program for women on parole in Dutchess County. We brought these programs in HCF, Columbia County Jail, Twin County Recovery, and in six other institutions in the Hudson Valley. Our aim continues to bring evidence-based practices to those impacted by trauma, addiction and incarceration. To deepen the expertise of our teaching team, we offer and require our teachers to complete our training programs on best practices for teaching in prisons and recovery centers.
In 2020, MP initiated the nation’s first yoga teacher training for women in a mandated recovery center. These amazing women not only discovered the self-awareness, self-worth, empathy and compassion that will lead them to make positive personal and pro-social choices, but graduated and are certified yoga teachers. Our second cohort graduated in 2023. We continue to teach twice weekly in both the men and women’s recovery facilities. We teach yoga, nutrition and dance to children with incarcerated parents, and weave writing and movement into programs for youth and incarcerated individuals. We offer yoga and creative mindfulness programs for those re-entering their lives after incarceration.
At the heart of our vision is the belief that all of us have potential. MovingPotential offers simple movement and breath practices to help people sleep better, ease stress and anxiety, connect body, mind and heart – resulting in greater resiliency. We care greatly for those we serve, incorporating laughter, music, dance, meditation, poetry and play to create a safer space and foster trust to be vulnerable together.
Bardavon is a presenting organization that owns and operates two historic NYS theaters - its namesake theater in Poughkeepsie, and sister theatre UPAC in Kingston, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bardavon’s mission is to present affordable, world-class music, dance, theater, Live in HD Broadcasts, and classic films for the diverse audiences of the Hudson Valley. Bardavon provides performances by established and emerging artists, unique arts-based education programs, and gathering places for community events. Bardavon presents renowned performers in productions that inspire, entertain, and educate people of all ages, ethnicities, and incomes--making the arts accessible to all. Bardavon stages free outdoor arts events in our communities, and consistently collaborates with underrepresented organizations including BIPOC, LMI, LGBTQIA, youth, senior, and neurodiverse audiences. The continued restoration and preservation of the historic theaters are also vital aspects of our mission.
CREATE Council on the Arts is a nonprofit service organization committed to enriching the communities of Greene, Columbia, and Schoharie counties through the arts. We foster a vibrant arts ecosystem by championing local artists and cultural organizations, offering essential resources, and promoting creativity.
As the regional arts council, our primary role is to support individual artists and small to mid-sized arts organizations with funding opportunities, advocacy and by serving as a vital connector across the creative community.
Founded on the principles of community, collaboration, and a mutual love for all things guitar, the Great Lakes Guitar Society was established in 2010 to serve as a hub for guitar activity in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Since that time, we have presented festivals, concerts, and competitions in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse featuring regional, national, and international concert artists, alike. We also work to build community through music education programs like the Free Guitars 4 Kids Program and the Great Lakes Guitar Society Guitar Orchestra.
Partnering with other community organizations to bring free lessons and free guitars to students throughout the community.
We remain committed to our founding principles and believe that the popularity of the guitar can help to bridge social and economic divides and reflect positive social change.
The Juvenile Justice Arts and Media Network (JJAMN) is an arts and media production platform that supports the creative freedom of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth and adults.
JJAMN collaborates with a broad network of arts professionals, activists, and educators, focusing on professional creative media, education, mentorship, and re-entry opportunities to address the urgent challenge of forging new pathways to justice.
