A portion of the monies went to the museum’s current exhibition Street Art, Street Life, a vast showcase that incorporates street photography, documentation of performance, artwork presented in the street and works using materials from the street to explore the street as a venue and source of inspiration for artists and photographers.
“The museum was thrilled to count the JPMorgan Chase Foundation as one of the lead funders of Street Art, Street Life,” Bronx Museum of the Arts director of development Yvonne Garcia said. “They’ve been a strong supporter of the museum and we were delighted to partner with them for another year, especially on such an important project.”
Recognizing the importance of celebrating art and culture, JPMorgan Chase vice president of global philanthropy Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne said that based on the museum’s commitment to community development and education, the grant was easily awarded.
“For us, this is an investment in the community,” she stated, adding it was important that the museum was educationally focused, supportive of emerging artists and artists of color, while actively working to provide art and culture to the neighborhood.
Chase representatives presented the grant in the form of an oversized check during a recent gala at the museum.
“The grant will enable the Bronx Museum to strengthen the work in its community through free cultural programming,” Garcia explained.
She added that while approximately one-fourth of the monies would be allocated toward the exhibition, the remaining funds would help further develop and present various programs related to the exhibition theme.
“These programs will benefit the Bronx community at large by providing multi-generational programs and activities, expanding the reach of the museum programs into the public schools in the Bronx, offering free cultural opportunities to our community as well as a venue to learn about, enjoy and share visual culture,” Garcia commented.
She further said that while the economy continues to slump, “This grant is crucial in ensuring the continuance of the museum’s work in presenting quality exhibitions and meaningful, free programs for the community of the Bronx.”
Jennings-O’Byrne explained it’s such efforts that motivated Chase to show their appreciative support.
“They have great programming and outreach and that’s important to us,” she said.
Street Art, Street Life will run at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse #2, until January 25, 2009.
