Port Chester's Clay Art Center Named a Finalist in Impact 100 Westchester

Clay Art Center has been invited to participate as a finalist in the Impact 100 Westchester grant review process. Clay Art Center, the largest and most active ceramic facility in the tri-state area, has proposed a transformational and enriching ceramic education program for the Port Chester School district. Clay Art Center will present their proposed project during the organization’s first annual meeting June 10th, 2014 along with three other non-profit finalists. The award winner will be announced that evening.

The proposed program entitled “Connect Through Clay” will be offered to 1,125 the 3-5th grade at each of Port Chester’s four elementary schools in the 2014-15 school year. “Connect Through Clay” offers students the opportunity for hands-on clay exploration and interaction with professional ceramic artists. During the proposed program students will create a body of clay artworks as they learn about culturally relevant themes, artists and ceramic techniques from around the globe. Students will also work collaboratively to create a clay mosaic to be installed in each school. Following the in-school clay program, each grade will be bused to Clay Art Center for a tour of the 11,000 sq. ft. facility featuring the nationally recognized gallery, artist spaces, kiln rooms, classrooms and more.

The grant offered by Impact 100 Westchester is designed to identify unmet needs in the region and provide transformational funding to Westchester not-for-profit organizations in four focus areas: arts & culture, education, environment and health & wellness. Impact 100 Westchester’s mission is to engage women in philanthropy and to collectively fund grants to charitable initiatives in the Westchester region.

Clay Art Center’s Executive Director Leigh Taylor Mickelson states, “We are so thrilled to be considered for this incredible opportunity to provide access to the arts for over 1100 of our youngest neighbors.”

CLAY ART CENTER (CAC) is a 501(c)(3) not-profit organization whose mission is to offer a stimulating space for studio practice, exhibition and educational opportunities to better serve the community. Guided by a strong belief in the power of the arts to touch and enrich lives, for more than 50 years the Center has offered a stimulating space for studio practice, solo and group exhibitions in its Gallery, artist residencies, and clay classes and workshops for adults and children. The Center has a very active community arts program and outreach to underserved communities throughout Westchester County. It is located at 40 Beech Street in Port Chester, and offers year round, day and evening classes and workshops for adults and children, artist studios, a gallery with changing exhibitions and a pottery shop featuring handmade ceramic objects.  The Gallery and shop are open Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.

Impact 100 Westchester is a group of women working to make a difference in Westchester County. A community of informed, philanthropic women, passionate about the power of one multiplied by many. Each year we Impact 100 combines $1,000 membership donations from at least 100 women and make transformational grants to local charities.  100% of donated memberships will go towards their grants.  Separate funds are raised to cover fundraising and administrative costs.

Grant applications are accepted in the following categories:

• Arts and Culture – Programs that develop, cultivate or enhance cultural and artistic opportunities
• Education – Programs that improve learning opportunities for children and/or adults
• Environment – Programs that foster the connection between people and their surroundings
• Health and Wellness – Programs that improve the mental and/or physical well-being

Members choose their level of involvement.  All members review the four finalists and cast one vote at the June meeting.  The Impact100 model is working in 18 cities around the country.  Impact100′s have collectively awarded more than $15 million nationwide.  Impact100 Westchester is looking forward to making its first grant in June, 2014. Impact100 Westchester is a non-profit organization exempt from federal taxes under IRS Code 501(c)(3). All contributions are tax-deductible.