Usdan Receives Four Grants from the New York State Council on the Arts

Usdan is thrilled to share that we are the recipient of four grants totaling $70,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). The awarded funds will support our work in 2023 in the following ways: 

NYSCA Regrowth and Capacity Enhancement Grant: $10,000 

Awarded funds will support the rehire of assistant teaching faculty who were reduced as a result of the pandemic. We will reintroduce two eight-week assistant faculty members, and one four-week assistant faculty member in the Art Department. All Usdan assistant faculty are early career artists and educators developing a teaching practice. They work enthusiastically with Usdan students, and support lead teachers in the implementation of the summer curriculum.  

NYSCA Support for Artists Grants: $20,000 

Two grants awarded at $10,000 each will support Usdan Artists in Residence, Maile Okamura in the creation of a new dance piece, and Colin Jacobsen in the creation of a new orchestral chamber piece, both projects in collaboration with students during the summer camp season. Since 2020, Colin, Maile, and fellow resident members from The Knights have worked across Usdan’s campus and with Usdan students in experimental and experiential ways. In 2022, Maile and Colin collaborated with Usdan staff and faculty, visiting artists, and approximately 100 Usdan students to develop “Bodies of Water,” a campus-wide immersive experience. The piece was premiered at and in Usdan’s historically significant and beautiful pools during Usdan’s Community Day and Fundraiser on July 20, 2022.

NYSCA Support for Organizations Grant: $40,000 

Awarded funds are for critically important General Operating Support to forward Usdan’s mission, “to instill in our community the desire and drive to creatively contribute to the world now and for the rest of their lives.” 

For more information about all of these awards, and about NYSCA, you can read the official press release.