Mission Statement
The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport nurtures the professional development of artists and arts organizations on Long Island, and encourages the community’s involvement in the arts.

History
In 1974, the Village of Freeport and Freeport Public Schools provided the seed money to create an arts council. This was a unique beginning for arts organizations in New York State. The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport (originally called the Freeport Arts Council) emerged as a non-profit organization to develop and support artistic talent, and enrich the lives of the residents of Freeport, specifically, and Long Island, generally. The Arts Council’s original purpose was to bring art into the Freeport community through school arts education residencies, concerts, master classes, theater and art trips, workshops, and art exhibits. The Arts Council worked with such exciting companies as the Joffrey Ballet, American Symphony Orchestra, Westminster Choir, Tokyo String Quartet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Opera, and American Ballet Theatre. Gradually, the Arts Council shifted its focus from presenting to service in order to meet the changing needs of the arts community, and expanded to include artists, cultural organizations, and the general public throughout Long Island. Today, the Arts Council’s programs and services focus on six areas -- professional development and technical assistance, information services, arts promotion, youth development, visual arts programming, and performing arts programming. The Arts Council serves individual artists of all disciplines, a multitude of diverse cultural organizations, and the general public. The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport strives to improve the quality of life through the arts.

BOARD & STAFF (As of 1/22/08)

HONORARY BOARD: William Bolcom, Oscar Brand, Michelle Di Benedetto, Naomi Drucker, Stanley Drucker, Eliot Feld, Hon. Charles Fuschillo, Jr., Kevin Harrington, Gerald R. Kirby, Harold Levine, Joan Morris, Marcia O’Brien, Kristine O’Malley, Francis Patrelle, Bernard Rader, Hale Smith, Dorothy Storm, Mary Westring, Marcia White, Jerry Zaback, Pat Zaback.

ADVISORY BOARD: Joyce Adler, Marsha Tyson Darling, Lila Diringer, John Holly, Herbert Rothgarber, Bob Spiotto

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Robert Maziarski (Chair), Christine Martinez (President), Kathy Boulukos (Vice President), Phyllis Pullman (Secretary), Susan Ollivier (Treasurer), Sister Jean Dominici DeMaria, O.P., Ph.D., Janet Feile, Bernard Kalban, Miriam Lopez, Jeffrey L. Nogee, Esq., Raquel Pachas

STAFF: Marnie L. Katzman (Executive Director), Joan Savary (Arts Services Coordinator / High 5 Long Island Coordinator), Michelle Gilligan (Office Manager / Bookkeeper), Jillian Denis (Nassau Grants for the Arts Associate), Sarah Halpern (Intern for Juried Photography Show), Callie Goldberg (Intern for High 5 Long Island) 


Our Office Hours: Monday - Thursday (9:00 am - 4:30 pm)