Steinhaus slashes arts budget

HARLEM VALLEY — County Executive William Steinhaus’ budget cleaver has come down on the Dutchess County Arts Council. The proposed 2011 county budget hacks off 75 percent of the county’s support for the arts, reducing annual funds allocated for the arts council from $196,000 to $50,000. It’s now up to the legislators to restore funding.

Arts Council President Benjamin Krevolin is requesting all of those who support the arts to write a personal plea to their legislators.

“Undeniably these are very difficult economic times and there are many demands on public dollars; however, we cannot ignore the power of the arts to transform our lives economically, civically and spiritually,� said Krevolin.

Although the major regional arts organizations that the council funds directly are on the Hudson River side of the county, the towns and artists of North East, Amenia, Pine Plains and Washington will also be affected. There will be no money to take local students to performances at the Bardovan; no money for artists in the schools; no money to support burgeoning arts activities, like the 3 Corners Contemporary music concerts, the ArtEast open studio tours, Fall for Art in Millerton or The Wassaic Project.

In the northeast corner of Dutchess County, the council has been very active in arts outreach to schools and local arts groups, providing an anchor for cultural development, or, as Krevolin said, “turning up the cultural soil.�

 This year the Dutchess County Arts Council received a business excellence award from the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation for its role in supporting community-based artists and projects.

The $400 million 2011 budget as proposed by Steinhaus is less than the 2010 budget and the county tax levy would remain flat; however, 101 county jobs would be cut to close the estimated gap between county revenue and expenses next year. The budget for the arts council has fallen steadily from $291,000 in 2008 to $196,000 in 2010. In the past, approximately one-third of the council’s total funding has come from the county with the remainder coming from state, federal and private funds.

A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House. Final adoption of the 2011 budget is scheduled for Dec. 7.

Latest News

Water main cleaning in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN – Aquarion Water Company today announced a water main cleaning project in the company’s North Canaan system. The project is scheduled to take place from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 16, and is being undertaken to ensure customers in North Canaan continue to receive the highest quality water.

The cleaning for April 1 and April 4 (subject to change) will take place on the following streets:

Keep ReadingShow less
Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less