U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-Hurley) announced last week that the House of Representatives approved his request of a combined $80,000 for youth arts programs at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie and the Woodstock Film Festival. The congressman used his position on the House Appropriations Committee to secure the $50,000 for the Bardavon and $30,000 for the film festival as part of the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008, which passed the House last week. The funds will be directed to SUNY Ulster, which will then work with the Bardavon and the Woodstock Film Festival to carry out these programs.
“The youth arts programs provided through the Bardavon 1869 Opera House and the Woodstock Film Festival allow area students the opportunity to learn about and participate in the performing arts in a very unique and positive way,” said Hinchey. “These funds will help spark the creative energy inside area children as the take part in these workshops, seminars, and screenings.”
In conjunction with the Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater (UPAC), which it now manages and operates, the Bardavon 1869 Opera House will use its $50,000 in federal funds to expand its classroom workshops into Ulster County schools. The program will allow an estimated 345 students to participate in arts workshops held in their own classrooms led by visiting artists from the Bardavon. The workshops will help the students become involved with the arts while also helping to train their own teachers in performing arts education. At the conclusion of the workshops, the students will perform at UPAC before a combined audience of approximately 2,400 people.
The Woodstock Film Festival will use its $30,000 in federal funds for its Youth Initiative, which is designed to stimulate growth opportunities for young and aspiring artists and to provide resources not readily available in the region. The Youth Initiative is comprised of screenings, seminars and workshops featuring established and emerging filmmakers and industry stalwarts.
The U.S. Senate still needs to act on the funding bill, but having the money approved in the House is considered a critical step in the legislative process.