As it relates to an announcement, made by the Longwood Art Gallery here, Hostos Community College would like to make the following statement.
Hostos Community College is proud to have partnered with the Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) these past 23 years. The Longwood Arts Project has been a cornerstone of the Bronx arts community, providing a platform for local artists, engaging with the public through free programming, and fostering artistic expression.
We are immensely proud of the Project’’s accomplishments during its long residency at the Hostos Art Gallery (a/k/a Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos). The decision to conclude the successful partnership, in which Hostos provided the gallery space and marketing support at no cost to the BCA, was made under the terms of the original agreement, which allowed either institution to end the arrangement.
Our students have long clamored for the ability to display their artwork in the gallery, and we were unable to do so under the agreement with BCA. As a college dedicated to student success, offering classes in visual arts and digital design, it is essential to provide opportunities for the College’s growing student body to exhibit their work. Additionally, the ongoing financial challenges facing the arts, including significant budget cuts by the City, required us to explore new revenue opportunities.
To maximize the gallery’s potential and ensure its continued contribution to the arts community, the space will be made available for rent or limited collaboration to a wider range of arts organizations, independent artists, curators and various exhibitors. This decision will enable us to support diverse artistic voices while also providing our students with valuable exhibition opportunities.
Hostos Community College remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the arts and the cultural vitality of the Bronx. We welcome future collaborations with the Longwood Art Project and having BCA use the space again. We are grateful to them for their invaluable contributions to the community. This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for both institutions, and we look forward to exploring innovative ways to collaborate and serve the Bronx.
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Thank you.
Ivano Leoncavallo
Director of Communications
Office of the President
Hostos Community College / CUNY
475 Grand Concourse, A314
Bronx, NY 10451
Office: 718-518-4450
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Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
