FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2023

Mayor Noble Announces Round Three of ARPA Community Events Grant Awards

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce the third round of APRA Community Events Grant Program awards for a total of $36,185 across four community groups for a total of ten events.

The third round of ARPA Community Events Grant program funding was awarded to the Kiwanis Club of Kingston ($5,000) for the Kingston Classic in April 2023; the Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of NY ($5,000) for the Bon-odori Dance Festival in August 2023; the Kingston Midtown Arts District (MAD) for two events ($10,000), the Ninth Annual Celebration of the Arts EXPO in July 2023 and the Third Annual Draw-a-Thon in August 2023; and the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County ($16,185) for the Firefly Tay Fisher Show in May, the Day of Play in August, three Movies at the Y events, and the Tour De Kingston in September 2023.

“The Kiwanis Club of Kingston was ecstatic to receive the City of Kingston’s ARPA Community Events Grant.  The Kiwanis Kingston Classic is a tradition in this community, and we are honored that we are allowed to continue to provide this service to the community which attracts runners, spectators, and volunteers from across the area.  As a service organization funding grants allow us to continue to provide this community and make our home better for all,” said Michael Janasiewicz of the Kiwanis Club of Kingston.

“Thank you to the Mayor and ARPA Community Events Grant! We never have started the season with real money, which makes it possible to do many things we haven’t been able to do, such as paying all the performers, tech support, photographers, or buying lunch for volunteers, and waving admission fees for vendors. This grant will be a huge support in hosting the Bon-odori Dance Festival, an event that aims to keep the community going in the direction of a Nuclear-Free Future,” said Youko Yamamoto of the Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation.

“We’re grateful to receive the city’s support for our community events this summer. We’re committed to providing free art making experiences to our city’s residents and with the help of this funding we can continue to support local artists while bringing new and exciting activities that we normally would not have the opportunity to do,” said Lisa B Kelley, Executive Director of the Midtown Arts District.

“The YMCA is delighted to be a recipient of City of Kingston’s ARPA Community Events Grant. It allows us to present fun and memorable events for our friends and neighbors in Kingston. We are super excited to see all the events the City of Kingston is funding, and we look forward to participating in all of the amazing experiences our city has to offer. Thank you, City of Kingston. The YMCA is very grateful for your support and appreciates the opportunity to continue to serve our community,” said Heidi Kirschner, YMCA CEO/President.

The 2023 Community Events Grant Program is made possible with Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The City has allocated $375,000 to support local events occurring in 2023 as part of city-wide pandemic recovery efforts.

Nonprofit groups and businesses located within City limits are eligible to apply for up to five events per year at up to $5,000 per event, for a total of up to $25,000 per organization. Events must be free and open to the public. Events must take place in 2023, and must have either previously taken place prior to 2020, or if new, not duplicate pre-existing events and focus primarily on youth and families as the target audience. Preference will be shown to applications for events that focus primarily on youth and families as well as those that draw audiences from diverse backgrounds.

Funding is available for events taking place through the end of December 2023. Grant applications will be accepted through Friday, November 1, 2023. The last eligible event date is December 31, 2023.

More information, a list of eligible expenses, and the application can be found at: www.engagekingston.com/arpa-community-events-grant-program.