The new Sustainable Arts Program (SAP) aims to encourage new ventures in the arts with a long-term trajectory in our local community by supporting one specific project each fiscal year. The program educates artists and award recipients for continued success, provides recurring but tapering support opportunities, promotes sustainable practices for long-term success, and increases total funds generated for the arts in our local economy. This program uniquely invests in the individual artist's future versus short-term project-based support.

During the pilot program in 2024, the OCAC offered six three-hour classes covering a range of grant and project-implementation topics.

Nearly $15,000 was awarded to course participants thanks to a donor's generous contributions.

In addition to this program, other opportunities for direct compensation for artists have been created. Over the past year, we have provided over $40,000 to artists as independent contractors for performances, visual art, and digital media.

• Paige Dillon received $2,870 to develop a new piece of theater work for young audiences.

• Janet Muller received $2,520 for programming and tech support at The Sanctuary in Otisville, NY.

• Nicole Hixon received $2,140 for capacity building studio development.

• Jiayi Ma received $1,660 for traditional Chinese dance performance education.

• Shawn Rawls received $3,410 to support his work in movement-based healing.

• Damien Hughes received $2,370 to support the development of his Newburgh-based theater group.

Below was the 2025 class schedule:

3/17 - Intro to Arts Business & Culture
3/24 - Relationships & Support
3/31 - Business Arts
4/7 - Marketing Arts
4/14 - Protections & Accounting
4/21 - Presentation Arts

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