State grant will help TRC create Edgewater Art House

TRC’s Edgewater Art House is one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to a $195,000 Empire State Development grant obtained through the efforts of the City of Jamestown.

The Edgewater Art House will become the new home of our art program for people with disabilities.  The facility will be located next to our Edgewater Day Program on Eighth Street.  The Art House will include many opportunities for art including painting, drawing, mixed media as well as ceramics.  A gallery space will allow those participating in the art classes to have an opportunity to showcase their art.

Last year, TRC completed a successful capital campaign that raised $315,000 for the Art House.  However, we subsequently learned a dramatic increase in the cost of construction materials left us well short of the amount needed to create the art house.

In response, The Resource Center sought the City’s assistance in obtaining state funding to complete the project.  Using information provided by TRC, Mayor Eddie Sundquist and his team applied for an Empire State Development grant.  Receipt of the funding means construction can begin.

TRC officials were excited to hear of the City’s successful grant proposal.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded this grant,” said Denise Jones, Executive Director.  “The Edgewater Art House will be the new home of our award-winning art program and will make it possible for more people with disabilities to develop their artistic talents.  In addition to providing a serene location that is sure to inspire artists, this beautiful facility will become another jewel in the City of Jamestown’s waterfront revitalization initiative.  We look forward to breaking ground this spring.

“We are extremely grateful to Empire State Development for recognizing the significance of this project and its impact on our community.  And we are indebted to Mayor Sundquist and his team for supporting this project and leading the effort to obtain this grant.”

Currently, TRC’s art program is housed within the Day Habilitation Program at the Michael J. Raymond Center on Jones & Gifford Avenue.  Since this is a state-certified site, only people with developmental disabilities who are enrolled in TRC’s Day Programs are eligible to participate in the art program.  The Edgewater Art House will be a non-certified site, meaning we can open our art classes to people with developmental disabilities who do not participate in our Day Programs, as well as to people with behavioral health challenges.  TRC also intends to give the general community the opportunity to participate in art classes.

Additional funding for the project has been received from KeyBank and First Niagara Foundation, Filling the Gap, staff of The Resource Center, and local foundation and private donors.