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Big changes have come to the Cultural Resource Council (CNY Arts) of Syracuse and Onondaga County. The arts-funding group has expanded its services to three additional counties, changed its name to CNY Arts, created a stylish new logo and revamped how it serves the local arts community. And now CNY Arts introduces a new director of operations, Mike Intaglietta, who will play a key role in the group’s plans.
CNY Arts works to enhance the arts and cultural environment of Central New York through support, funding and service to individual artists, cultural groups and established cultural institutions. It holds numerous workshops and events throughout the year, such as the popular On My Own Time art program, an event that celebrates the creativity of amateur artists. CNY Arts also encourages involvement by children, putting on The Adventures of Rudolph ballet each holiday season, as well as the Michael Harms Theater Festival, which allows secondary students and teachers to showcase their talent in front of peers and professionals.
Among its events and activities, the CNY Arts saw many companywide changes this year, including the doubling of the territory it serves, adding Madison, Herkimer and Oneida counties. According to Stephen Butler, executive director of CNY Arts, last year the County Legislature turned over the responsibility for arts funding to the CNY Arts, which receives its funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, the county (through the hotel occupancy tax), private foundations and individual donations, corporate support and ticket fees.
Butler also noted that, with the agency’s reach expanding, Intaglietta’s role will be constantly changing. He will primarily be responsible for overseeing the different initiatives of the new CNY Arts, including working to engage audiences in the funding and granting process. “He is here to move the organization to capacity,” Butler explained. “We have a new and much bigger audience to reach out to and engage.”
CNY Arts’ plans began with the redesign of its website, cnyarts.com, which can now delineate funds, community interests and community needs. “We’ll be able to track who’s applying, what their needs are, and then develop a history of who’s being funded,” said Intaglietta, 37.
Plans also include going out to the three counties and performing a “cultural assessment” to better serve the public. This will put more control over disbursement of funds into the community’s hands.
“Decisions are being made by the community, people involved in the community and community leaders,” Butler said. “We’re basically the stewards of the funds. We don’t make those decisions, those decisions are made by the people from the community.”
Although current CNY Arts events already pull in an audience from all across Central New York, the group plans to expand its workshops, events and shows to the three new counties. “The idea of building the arts community is something that I’ve wanted to do at my previous position,” noted Intaglietta, who comes to CNY Arts after working as administrative director at the Redhouse, a multi-arts facility at 219 S. West St. “I’ve got some ideas that I’m not ready to roll out yet, but one thing I’m here to do is change the tone of the conversation of the arts community.”
Added Butler: “We’re really thrilled to have Mike here. In a national search we had close to 60 resumes and had two or three screenings. He had the credits, and the chops from his {previous} work. He clicked right away with the staff.”
