BLACK LIVES MATTER
Along with the world, we have witnessed the ongoing horror of anti-Black violence in our country and in our communities. Black Lives Matter calls for action. We stand in solidarity lifting up the names and spirits of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd, and those whose we have not yet learned, who have been killed by ongoing state-sanctioned violence. Our concern also extends to other communities of color that have been victimized by systemic racism, including Native American and Latinx peoples.
Three months ago, we were challenged with imagining the ways we gather and work due to the global pandemic; we are appalled by the inequalities of suffering due to COVID-19 by communities of color caused by mismanagement and repeated hostility, hatred, cowardice and callousness. Undoing racism, decolonizing institutions and dismantling systems of oppression demands an ongoing and long-term commitment.
We believe that the role of art and artists is essential to a democratic, civil society; art serves to forge connection, challenging boundaries and reflecting a multiplicity of voices that reveal what it is like to be alive in the world today and an essential catalyst for change and evolution. We are committed to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion; we take seriously our critical responsibility as a supporter of leading artistic voices. We pledge to continue to use our platform in the effort to realize an equitable and just world.
Adding to our longtime fellowships that help to sponsor creators of color, we pledge $15,000 for several new fellowships that will expand opportunities for BIPOC creators.
THANK YOU to our alumni and supporters who are on the front lines of this struggle. We stand alongside in solidarity. We are with you.
HUDSON VALLEY/CATSKILLS CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS STATEMENT
Together, as a group of Hudson Valley/Catskills cultural organizations, we are acknowledging the pain and mourning that Black people are experiencing and the sanctioned violence that has engendered it.
We stand with our black and brown friends, families, colleagues, artists, clients, donors, and everyone who has suffered from abhorrent racism that is sadly so prevalent throughout the country. We are committed to those who are tirelessly fighting for equality and justice, and dedicate using our voice and our work to make sure everyone in our community knows we are here for them.
We mourn the loss of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor and all Black people whose lives have been taken by white people & institutions.
And above all, we acknowledge and extend our solidarity to Black people, their families, and communities in their fight for justice.
Every day, we can and we will do something about injustice. We will continue to listen to our friends, colleagues and community and educate ourselves on where we can improve our actions and our words—and we must match our words with deeds. We stand together in solidarity to say Black Lives Matter.
Arm-of-the-Sea Theater, Art Omi, Arts Mid-Hudson, Arts Society of Kingston, Barrett Art Center, Bridge Street Theatre, Brush & ReeD, Catskill Art Society, Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Center for Photography at Woodstock, Circle Creative Collective, Cornell Creative Arts Center, CREATE (Greene County Council on the Arts), DENIZEN Theatre, Department of Regional Art Workers, Drop Forge & Tool, Fall Kill Creative Works/The Mid-Hudson Heritage Center, Hudson Area Library, Hudson Arts Coalition, Hudson Dance Collective, The Hudson Eye Festival, Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center, the idea garden, Jewish Federation of Ulster County, Jonah Bokaer Choreography, Kaatsbaan | cultural park for dance, Kingston Midtown Arts District, Lifebridge Sanctuary, Made in Kingston, Millay Colony for the Arts, Mount Tremper Arts, O+ Festival, Operation Unite Education and Cultural Arts Center, Opus 40, Petronio Residency Center/Stephen Petronio Company, The Poetry Barn, Prattsville Art Center, Rabbit Hole Ensemble, RAWdance, Redwing Blackbird Puppet Theatre-Rosendale, Reher Center for Immigrant Culture and History, Saugerties Artists Studio, Tour, The Secret City, ShoutOut Saugerties, Space 428, Hudson Stockade Works, The Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Unison Arts, The Vanaver Caravan, Visions Story and Art Center, Voice Theatre, Wassaic Project, Wave Farm and WGXC 90.7-FM, Womenswork.Art, Woodstock Artist Association & Museum, Woodstock Film Festival