putnamartscouncil@comcast.net

Services & Programs

As a county-wide arts service agency, the Putnam Arts Council extends its programming to reach constituents where they live and work, and to provide support for the creative development of artists, students, and cultural organizations.

Art in Public Places

If you have ever gone into county office buildings and public libraries in Putnam, you may have noticed a display of artwork on the walls. This is part of the Art in Public Places program managed by PAC. More than 50 artists have participated in this ongoing outreach program. We are currently featuring student artwork purchased through the Bernard & Maria Hassell Fund along with donations from individual artists.

Artists interested in participating in the Art in Public Places program should contact the Putnam Arts Council.

Scholarships

George Shawe Memorial Visual Art Scholarship

In 1998 PAC established the George Shawe Memorial Visual Art Scholarship in memory of Mr. Shawe, a former board member, visual artist, and educator. This scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior planning to pursue a career in the arts. The selection process is highly competitive and based on an application, essay, recommendations and a portfolio review.

Prior Year Scholarship recipients are:

1998 - Brian Ephraim of Mahopac High School

1999 - Kristan Johnson of Carmel High School, and
            Daniel Kucharczyk of Mahopac High School

2000 - Melissa Young of Brewster High School

2001 - Sarah Gilchrist of Carmel High School, and
            Jennifer Collins of Mahopac High School

2002 - Janette Maron of Mahopac High School, and
            Dana Regina of Mahopac High School

2003 - Mike Vlad of Carmel High School

2004 - Katharyn LaRanger of Carmel High School, and
            Kaitlin Sullivan of Haldane Central School

2005 - Kathleen McDermott of Carmel High School

2006 - Lioudmila (Mila) Matveeva of Brewster High School

2008 - Amber Vittoria of Carmel High School

2009 - Michele Belanich of Putnam Valley High School

Artist: Brian Ephraim

For further information please contact the Putnam Arts Council or download the 2009 Guidelines and Application forms below:

IBM PC    MS Word documents
2009 Shawe Scholarship Guidelines	2009 Shawe Scholarship Application

MAC    MS Word documents
2009 Shawe Scholarship Guidelines	2009 Shawe Scholarship Application

Bernard and Maria Hassell Collection

Each year the Putnam Arts Council presents the All County Student Art Show in cooperation with the Putnam County high schools. This show is displayed in the Levine Art Center Galleries and often provides the first opportunity for students to display their artwork in a professional gallery setting.

Several artworks from this show are purchased each year and become part of the Bernard & Maria Hassell Collection, a permanent collection of artwork maintained by the Putnam Arts Council and displayed in public sites throughout Putnam County.

The Hassell Collection is part of our Contemporary Collection, which also includes works donated to the Arts Council by area artists, and student artwork purchased from the National Council on Alcoholism Poster Contest.

Artist: Meaghan Riley

Artist: Robert Powers

Technical Assistance

Technical assistance seminars are offered for individual artists, and for Putnam-based cultural and community organizations. Seminar topics include grant writing, accessibility/usability issues, marketing and outreach, and shared resources.

The Arts Council provides financial assistance through its ARTS LINK grants program. See GRANTS for a schedule of seminars offered for not-for profit cultural and community groups, and for individual artists seeking support for projects.

Advocacy

The Putnam Arts Council, an independent organization, is the official voice for the arts in Putnam County. As a cultural advocate for the arts, PAC continually works as a liason with local, county and state government and the media to promote and maintain the importance of the arts and to inform these agencies on the impact the arts have on regional economic development and tourism. PAC works with the Putnam Alliance, The Putnam County Visitors Bureau, and the Putnam County Economic Development Committee in an effort to position the arts as a major force in the development of Putnam County. PAC is part of a Regional Alliance of Mid-Hudson Arts Councils, whose focus is to promote cultural tourism, share resources and create a unified presence.

PAC continually strives to develop audiences for the arts, to provide additional opportunities for individual artists, and to promote the cultural efforts of local and community arts organizations.

Classes

Are you the next Picasso or someone who enjoys dabbling in the arts? If so, check out our schedule of CLASSES in the arts including pottery, painting, drawing, watercolor, cartooning, photography, and more.

Art on the Farm - Classes at Tilly Foster

Classes are offered four times per year on a seasonal basis - spring, summer, fall and winter! We also offer a Summer Art Program for children ages 6-13 that runs for four weeks during the month of July at Tilly Foster farm. The program is always full so be sure to register early.

Studio Tours

In an effort to appreciate the work of the individual artist, and to gain an understanding of the creative process, PAC initiated the Artist Studio Tours Program in 1998. Studio tours have taken us to the home and studio of several artists in and around Putnam including painters, a print-maker, two potters and a conceptual artist.

If you are an individual artist and would like to "share your vision" and invite "tourists" (in small groups) to your home, please contact PAC for details.

Studio Tour

PAC is a not-for-profit cultural service organization that supports the work of artists and promotes cultural enrichment activities for individuals throughout the region. PAC is supported, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, and with public funds from Putnam County.