Museum Village among five groups to gain state art council funding

Albany - The New York State Council on the Arts has awarded funding to five local projects, totaling more than $51,000, in Orange and Rockland Counties, Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, R-C-Greenwood Lake, announced earlier this week. The five groups are: Museum Village in Monroe was awarded $12,600 for project support; Dancing Crane, Inc. in Warwick, which was awarded $4,600 for professional performances and $5,200 to assist with general operating expenses; Sound Directions, Inc. in Warwick, whose music project was awarded $10,100 for general operating support; Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Goshen, whose museum was awarded $13,400 for general operating expenses; and Keep the County Dancing, Inc., based in Sloatsburg, which was awarded $5,400 for professional performances. “In times of financial downturn, cultural organizations that rely on public patronage for their financial support, such as museums and art projects, are among the first groups to feel the effects of a poor economy,” Rabbitt said in the press release announcing the state grants. “These institutions, however, are the fabric of our local culture - keeping our history alive as well as encouraging the development of tomorrow’s master artists.” FYI This is the second large grant awarded to Museum Village in as many months. Late last month, the museum received a $72,000 federal grant to complete the inventory of its collection of more than 20,000 objects and artifacts, the majority of which are not on display. The Dancing Crane Georgian Performance Arts is hosting its first Georgian dance camp in Warwick at the studio of the Peach Grove Inn from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1. The dance company also is sponsoring a free concert and performance by the Georgian Children’s Choreographic Ensemble on Aug. 30 on the Railroad Avenue Village Green at 6 p.m.