Harper Bella, Jose Tutiven and BACCA – Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts announced that they received an Artist Employment Program (AEP) grant from Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY). Designed to support employment opportunities for artists, the program is funding 98 collaborations involving a dynamic group of 300 artists employed by community-based organizations, municipalities, and tribal governments across New York State. CRNY has awarded a total of $49.9M in funding to support artists’ salaries and benefits, with an additional $11.7M in funding provided to the organizations holding employment.
“If we are to truly rebuild our amazing state, we must celebrate artists’ contributions not only to the economy but to what makes us human,” says Creatives Rebuild New York’s Executive Director Sarah Calderon. “The incredible work being funded through CRNY’s Artist Employment Program underscores the importance of direct support for both individual artists and the organizations that hold their employment.”
Harper Bella and Jose Tutiven will work with BACCA, a nonprofit arts council located in the Town of Babylon, to create interactive, immersive outdoor public art installations designed to generate opportunities for cultural exchange and education. The work will highlight local artists and create a framework for future community engagement. BACCA will receive $75,000 to support the collaboration, including artists’ salaries and benefits.
In anticipation of working on this initiative, Jose Tutiven said, “I am beyond excited to continue my work not only as an artist, but as a community leader in the arts. This grant will allow great things to happen.” Harper Bella is equally as excited about her upcoming role in the community, stating, “As a fine art photographer, my work often explores the different complexities of Afro-descendants living in the US. With this grant, I’m looking forward to taking on a new role as a curator to cultivate diverse stories.”
Harper and Jose are both leaders in the local arts community. Harper is an international photographer and curator, and Jose is the founder of Colored Colors, a local platform for creatives.
“On behalf of BACCA, we are honored to be a part of CRNY’s unprecedented artist-led program,” said BACCA’s Executive Director, Liz Mirarchi, when asked about receiving the grant. “We look forward to a meaningful collaboration and our continued work in the community through the arts.”
Artist Employment Program recipients were selected through a two-stage process by a group of twenty external peer reviewers alongside CRNY staff. From an initial pool of over 2,700 written applications, 167 were shortlisted for interviews with reviewers. To view the list of 98 Artist Employment Program participants, visit https://www.creativesrebuildny.org/participants/.
For more information about Creatives Rebuild New York’s Artist Employment Program, please visit creativesrebuildny.org. To learn more about BACCA, Harper Bella, Jose Tutiven, and their work together, please visit https://www.babylonarts.org/creatives-rebuild/.
Photo attached of recipients Harper Bella (right) and Jose Tutiven (front) with Liz Mirarchi, BACCA’s Executive Director (left). Photo credit: John Collins.
The Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts is a not-for-profit arts organization bringing theater, music, fine arts and cultural events to the residents of the Town of Babylon, NY. Please visit our website at www.babylonarts.org for a complete listing of our programs and events, or to find information about becoming a member.
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