May 15 , 2003

Dear Colleague:

THE NEW YORK CITY METROPOLITAN AREA TOWN MEETING has been scheduled.

It will take place Thursday July 10, 2003 and will be hosted by Queens Theatre in the Park, located in Flushing Meadows/Corona Park, which is where the meeting will take place. Co-Sponsors of the Culture Zone Legislation; Senator Serphin Maltese and Assemblyman Joseph Morelle will be in attendance. If you wish to RSVP for this meeting, please sign up online. And there is still time to register for the 3 other meetings scheduled around the state as indicated in the following table.

The New York State Culture Zone Project represents a revolutionary funding idea that emerged from meetings of arts leaders convened by the Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations in November 2001 and February 2002. The meetings focused on the need for a systemic arts policy change to affect more equitable access and provide greater resources to the arts and cultural industry in New York State. The Alliance wanted to achieve this objective without simultaneously depleting or re-allocating existing resources. The need for this new legislation was echoed at the six regional meetings conducted after 9/11 and facilitated by Anne Ackerson. These findings were documented in our report "Challenge and Opportunity: A Post 9/11 Assessment of the New York State Arts Community."

Benefits from these zones for the cultural industry loom large. For example:

• tax incentives to landlords in the zones who provides rents at below-market rates to nonprofit arts and cultural group and artists
• Tax incentives to developers in the zones who construct and set aside for extended periods of time spaces for artists, arts groups, and cultural institutions, including performance and exhibit spaces o Tax credits to contributors individuals and businesses who make contributions to arts institutions located in the zone
• Reduced electric and other energy costs to arts organizations in the zone, a significant help to the growing number of arts organization with buildings, performing and exhibition venues to support
• Funded and fundable job development programs to help arts organization in the zone access subsidized staffing and job training programs
• Low interest/no interest loans (e.g. SBA) to arts related, for-profit small businesses in the zone
• Incentives and credits for community re-vitalization projects in the zone
• Visibility for the arts industry as a community and economic development stimulator, it gives the arts a "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval."

Please review the schedule of spring regional meetings for 2003. Sign up online for the meeting that's most convenient for your schedule and geography.

Sincerely,

Judith Kaufman Weiner
Executive Director
Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations
631-298-1234 fax 631-298-1101
http://www.thealliancenys.org

The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a 28-year history as New York's primary service association for community based arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen community cultural organizations. The Alliance monitors, informs and mobilizes the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support and developing effective grassroots public policy.

245 Love Lane, P.O. Box 96
Mattituck, NY 11952-0096
Phone (631) 298-1234 / Fax (631) 298-1101