LC Meridian

Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

The Lehman College Art Gallery has recently received a $150,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that will help with the growth and maintenance of the Gallery and the High School Partnership program.

The Gallery has received four grants from the IMLS in the past. In 2005, they received a three-year grant and in November 2007, they applied for another grant and were approved in July 2008.

"Everyone was very excited when we received the award notice from IMLS," said Mary Ann Siano, the associate director of the Lehman College Art Gallery. "It meant that we could continue to work for the next three years with the existing schools to create new high school partnerships."

The High School Partnership program aims to revamp the academic standards of the arts by creating a relationship with the Gallery's staff and affiliated high school teachers. Workshops are held for students on the Gallery's premises and at participating schools. The new three-year grant will also help fund various programs including family art workshops, professional development for teachers, gallery tours of contemporary art exhibitions, artists' talks, internships, and a docent training program.

"The program promotes community participation by using the Gallery's Public Art on the Bronx website and focuses on public art in Bronx neighborhoods as an accessible arts resource for Bronx students, teachers, and families," said Siano.
She previously met with the Gallery team members and school partners to formulate a concise description of the project so that the IMLS grant panelists would be able to make an informed decision.

"Writing a federal grant is an interesting process and the end result is that it forms a clear picture of the program for which funding is being sought," she explained.
Before planning the implementation of these programs, the gallery identified the needs of participating Bronx schools and the surrounding communities. Siano explained that students and teachers need challenging art programs that reflect high expectations and promote excellence in a safe, nurturing environment. She added that families also need a place where they can participate in their children's education.

With the IMLS grant, it is hoped that the Gallery can become the epicenter of art enlightenment for the Bronx community.



Faculty Show 2008 -m

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools