The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture received a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant from the Small Business Administration (SVOG) for $326,615. The SVOG grant provides emergency assistance for performing arts and theater rental venues hard-hit by COVID-19.
Sheltering in place devasted the cultural economic sector. Artists and venues across the country were suddenly left in limbo. The creative economy’s halt begat a domino effect that revealed just how vibrant the performing arts sector is to society and how delicate the fabric of sustainability is. Just as the education field had to pivot towards technology to the arts also used the digital realm to re-invent the stage.
The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture was also quick to shift and appear on YouTube and Facebook Livestream with its re-scheduled programming. To the Hostos Center's surprise, virtual events surpassed expectations with audience virtual attendance from around the world.
But the performing arts are about the excitement of the “live” and “in-person” experience. Its two-theaters, cultural centerpieces of the Bronx, remained vacant. For the arts sector, no amount of virtual splendor can replace box office revenue.
Hostos Center Director Felix Arocho worked hard to complete the competitive and rigorous SVOG application.
“All the work and patience paid off. It was a very complicated application, and the requirements were very strict, with an incredible amount of organizational, financial, marketing, box office, contracting, personnel and other numberless documents required,” remarked Arocho. “I gratefully thank SVP Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne and her Divisional Team, especially Mr. Ken Acquah, for all their support. I am excited for this great win.”
The SVOG program was championed in Congress by New York State Senator Chuck Schumer.
About The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
While our theaters and art gallery remain closed, the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture is as active as ever - presenting engaging programs in music, dance, theater, film, and visual arts. Follow us online as we bring you events for the virtual space. Whether on Zoom, Facebook Live or YouTube, the Hostos Center remains dedicated and responsive to the cultural needs of South Bronx residents and neighboring communities. An integral part of Hostos Community College / CUNY since 1982, Hostos Center is recognized nationally as a leader in Latino/a/x and African-based programming, dedicated to the development of emerging artists and the creation of new work.
Hostos Center events are sponsored by the Hostos Community College Foundation with funds from the: National Endowment for the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the Coalition of Theaters of Color, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, the Howard Gilman Foundation, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Office of New York State Assemblyman José Rivera, and the Office of New York City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr. | The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
Learn about Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (sba.gov).