About

A Message of Hope
From The Director’s Collective

The past few years have been universally stressful. Likely, we can all agree that we are in need of healing—both as individuals and as a community. A group of diverse cultural organizations of the Southern Finger Lakes came together early in the pandemic to share information and help one another through numerous existential crises—and we have bonded over what has been an unparalleled experience in our professional lifetimes.

We believe—individually and collectively—in the power of natural beauty, cultural experiences and the arts. We have always understood what an outlet they can be for reflection and personal expression, for cultural storytelling, and for conveying emotions. Cultural institutions serve important roles as community centers and are a place of respite in challenging times. Although we were deemed “non-essential” for a period of time, we are essential to the next steps in our communal healing process.

We invite you to experience history, art, drama, music and the beauty of the natural world in your community. It is time to come together once again to enjoy the unique shared experiences offered by the arts and cultural attractions in our region. The nine organizations listed below offer something for everyone, and have each worked hard to make sure your experience is as safe as possible. Your local organizations need you – but more importantly, you need the healing power of the arts! We hope you will consider a visit to a nearby cultural institution to get lost in the moment, find peace, and to feel better. Just feel better.

The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes

The ARTS Council and Evelyn Peeler Peacock Gallery is open Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM.

Our Values:

We believe in championing and collaborating with artists and the greater community to support creative expression that inspires a more diverse and inclusive region.

Vision Statement:

The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes will support regional artists, making the Southern Finger Lakes an arts haven filled with talented and creative people, inspiring a vibrant and accessible multi-county arts scene.

Mission Statement:

The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes is the regional organization that empowers artists and encourages arts advocacy, fosters creativity and economic vitality, creates diverse connections and collaborations, and champions innovation and equity within the arts to cultivate a dynamic community.

As a multi-county arts organization, The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes provides a number of services which fulfill the above mission:

  • Increasing arts programming and opportunities for the public regionally and statewide by granting State and local funds to artists, arts/cultural organizations and schools;
  • Increasing public awareness of and access to the diverse folk arts traditions of the Southern Tier;
  • Advocating for arts education and the value of life-long learning in the arts;
  • Providing technical assistance, linkages, advocacy and other services to individual artists and arts/cultural organizations;
  • Increasing awareness of the importance of the arts to the economy of the Southern Tier and beyond; and
  • Further serving the public through our regional arts calendar, special school arts activities and information sharing.

Programs and services of The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes are made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency, local foundations, county governments, members and patrons. A listing of our Staff is available here and a list of our Board of Directors in available here.

Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to support The ARTS Council’s work.

You can request a copy of our most recently filed financial report from the Charities Bureau Registry on the New York Attorney General’s website (charitiesnys.com), by phone at 212-416-8401, or by contacting:

New York State Attorney General
Department of Law
Charities Bureau
28 Liberty St
New York, NY 10005

To join The ARTS Council as an Artist Member, please click here.