FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 11, 2023

Mayor Noble Announces Fourth Round of ARPA Community Events Awards

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce the fourth round of APRA Community Events Grant Program awards for a total of $30,485 across four organizations for eight free community events.

The fourth round of ARPA Community Events Grant program funding has been awarded to:

- The Center for Photography at Woodstock ($4885) for the First Annual Kingston Photo Festival in July;

- The Ministry of Maåt ($5000) for Ione’s 28th Annual Dream Festival;

- Blauweiss Media ($12,000) for four Kingston history presentations in August;

- Old Dutch Church ($8600) for two Pipe Dreams shows over the Spring and Winter Solstices.

“We are thrilled that Mayor Noble has chosen to support CPW’s First Annual Kingston Photo Festival,” said Brian Wallis, Executive Director of the Center for Photography at Woodstock. “As a part of the region-wide Upstate Arts Weekend, the Kingston Photo Festival will be a community celebration of photography, film, and fun. Mark your calendars for July 21-23, and join us for a big block party to celebrate the transformation of the old Van Slyke & Horton cigar factory at 25 Dederick Street into the future headquarters of the Center for Photography at Woodstock.”

“The Ministry of Maåt is grateful to receive this ARPA Community Events Award from the City of Kingston for IONE’s 28th Annual Dream Festival. We are so pleased to be able to honor the dreams of the wonderful city of Kingston; knowing that their deep creativity continues to surface throughout our community. We have been privileged to create the Dream Festival for 28 years now and we are delighted to have this support for the resulting fun and cutting edge visual and sonic arts, theatre arts, film, literature, dance and more.”  

“Blauweiss Media is honored to be selected to present four multimedia history events this year. We are thrilled to continue to share our region’s rich history and hundreds of rare photographs in a fun and engaging manner with audiences of all ages. We have a wide variety of subjects to present this year and look forward to seeing everyone at these free events. Thanks to the City of Kingston for supporting our efforts!” said Stephen Blauweiss, historian/filmmaker.

“The ARPA Community Events Grant awarded to Old Dutch Church allows us the opportunity to share our space and build community around the arts and culture. The free Pipe Dreams events welcome all ages to enjoy an immersive sound and visual journey. If you want to experience the awesome sound of the pipe organ and don't want to attend church to do it, these organ and light show events are for you. I believe that it is through group experiences that we grow stronger communities,” said Robert Sweeney, Pastor at Old Dutch Church.

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: https://engagekingston.com/