The Center for Book Arts is Awarded a NYC Cultural Tourism Grant
The Center for Book Arts, the nation’s first institution dedicated to teaching and promoting the art of the book and related arts, is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a New York City Cultural Tourism Grant, presented on August 9, 2017 by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. The grant program promotes culture and the arts across all of New York City’s five boroughs by supporting the promotion of cultural events and exhibits and increasing visitor awareness of each borough’s cultural offerings.
Stephen Bury, Board Chair of the Center for Book Arts and Chief Librarian at the Frick Reference Library, remarked that “we are especially pleased to see these funds awarded to the Center as a way to encourage New Yorkers to re-discover one of this city’s cultural jewels-the only organization offering instruction and exhibitions in book art is a short walk from Penn Station and the Flatiron building. This is good news for culturally curious New Yorkers and all lovers of the book.”
“Funds from the Cultural Tourism Grant are vital to marketing book art and the Center to New Yorkers,” said Alexander Campos, Executive Director & Curator of the Center. He added, “On our busy New York City block, our visitors, who are amazed by our exhibitions and antique equipment, tell us that our street banner convinced them stop by. Funds from this award will replace the banner and pay for a new stanchion and for printing program inserts.”
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer presented a check for $2,000 to Mr Bury, Mr Campos, and other members of the Center’s board on August 9. Ms Brewer thanked the Center for its contributions to New York’s cultural life.
“Manhattan’s greatest wealth is its array of cultural gems, and not just our massive institutions known all over the world but our neighborhood museums, studios, and cultural institutions that both preserve old traditions and incubate innovative new works and artists,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “The Center for Book Arts does exactly this important work. I know that exposing visitors to the true diversity of experiences in our borough’s neighborhoods increases tourism, enhances local neighborhoods and businesses, and reveals the true breadth of what our city has to offer the world.”
Fred Dixon, President and CEO of the NYC & Company Foundation added that, “Supporting new cultural opportunities keeps New York City exciting and vital. Encouraging cultural tourism increases visitor spending and job creation essential to the local economy.”
About the Center for Book Arts
The Center for Book Arts is dedicated to exploring and cultivating contemporary aesthetic interpretations of the book as an art object, while preserving the traditional practices of the art of the book. The Center seeks to facilitate communication between the book arts community and the larger spheres of contemporary art and literature through exhibitions, classes, public programming, literary presentations, opportunities for artists and writers, publications, and collecting. Founded in 1974 and still located in Manhattan, it was the first not-for-profit organization of its kind in the nation, and has since become a model for others around the world. Visit our website for up-to-date details on all events and programs: www.centerforbookarts.org
About New York City Cultural Tourism Development Grants
New York City Cultural Tourism Development Grants are privately funded by donations to the NYC & Company Foundation, the mission of which is to support tourism in all five boroughs by promoting local cultural events and institutions. The grant program is administered by the Borough President’s Office, and cultural groups are invited to apply for funding annually through the Borough President’s online grant portal. Recipients are selected by the Borough President based on the merit of the program.
