The third BJ Goodwin Memorial Fund award was granted this month to storefront ART, a residency and exhibition program that uses empty storefronts to provide artists and the community greater access to the studio, exhibition and gathering space. The Board of Directors of the Northampton Arts Council, Inc, on the recommendation of the BJ Goodwin Memorial Fund committee, voted to award Commonwealth Center for Change (C3), $2,500 in support of storefront ART. C3 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide quality, affordable event, program and office space, shared resources and capacity building services and programs to Northampton area nonprofits and artists so they can do their work more effectively, sustainably and collaboratively.
With this BJ Goodwin Memorial Fund award from the Northampton Arts Council, Inc., storefront ART will have the opportunity to continue to offer alternative space to local artists. For more information and an application to storefront ART: http://www.commonwealthcenter.org/storefrontart.html
The BJ Goodwin Memorial Fund is a special fund in honor of local performer, dancer, and educator, BJ Goodwin. The formation of this memorial fund was announced following her death on March 31, 2003 of breast cancer. With fundraising efforts by the Northampton Arts Council, Inc., and money raised by other arts organizations and numerous individuals from across the country–Washington State, California, Illinois, Florida, New York to name just a few–we have raised just over $4,100. The BJ Goodwin Memorial Fund is designed to provide direct assistance to a Northampton-based artist, writer, or arts organization in recognition of exceptional work and to support the further professional development of their talents. It is our hope that this opportunity will also provide artists with recognition and affirmation from their peers and the public. This memorial fund is very unique and should not be thought to replace funding that can be found in the traditional ARTSEZ spring and MCC/LCC fall grant rounds to artists and arts organizations. The first award of $1000 was made in 2004 to Mollye Maxner towards a danceWEB-Europe scholarship. In 2006, Mo Ringey, publisher of Mo’s Better Living Through Art: Arts & Culture Email Newsletter, was awarded $500.
This award to the storefront ART project will be the only award from this fund in 2008 since the Arts Council needs to raise more money insuring its maintenance and long-term growth.
The Northampton Arts Council, Inc. is always accepting donations from the community that will go towards the continued building of this endowed fund. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
Sondra Peron, arts administrator
Phone: 413-587-1269
northampton arts council
240 main street, room 5
northampton, ma 01060
http://www.northamptonartscouncil.org
