HOW TO PARTICIPATE: AGENCIES

A year later, we still hear comments from our clients — and staff — about what a difference the art makes in our facilities. The installation is beautiful and gives everyone something interesting and constantly new to look at.

—Dr. Les Halpert, Ph.D.; ICD President and CEO

Art Connect New York’s Vision

ACNY believes art and arts professionals have a unique ability to interpret the world, connect people, and inspire insight into ourselves and the world around us. We harness that transformative power to affirm the human spirit and make our city and social service agencies more welcoming and expansive.

We create professionally curated, themed collections of donated, original art for New York’s social service agencies and nonprofit organizations. The artwork is a permanent donation that will support your organization’s mission.

What ACNY Does

Art Connects New York oversees the placement process:

We engage curators to develop a permanent installation of art, based on your agency’s stated mission.
We maintain a database of all artworks submitted and available for donation.
Our curators choose work from the ACNY database and through personal connections.
With our curator and representatives of your staff, we help you choose the work that will be placed in your facilities — and where it will go.
We facilitate installation of the work.
We train your staff in the proper care of original artwork.
We coordinate the necessary paperwork so that ownership of the artwork transfers directly from the artist to your organization.
We encourage you to celebrate your new acquisition — and new look — with your clients, participating artists, curator and benefactors.
Where possible, we also encourage artists to participate with your clients in interactive events related to the placement.

Why Receive an Art Placement?

Because art is transformative and enriches those who are exposed to it. For your clients, it can be expansive, offering new perspectives and insights. If the mission of your agency is in any way connected to improving the life of your clients, artwork can and will directly support your mission.

ACNY wants to know about your agency and your interests. We look forward to considering your organization to be a recipient of an ACNY permanent installation.

How to Participate

If you would like to be considered as an ACNY recipient agency, please download and fill out an Agency Form. Then either

Email it to us at agencies@artconnectsnewyork.org, or
Send it by US Mail —Print out the Agency Form and mail it along with enclosures to:

Art Connects New York
Attention: Agency Database
491 Broadway, 5th Floor
New York, New York 10012

What to Expect When Receiving a Placement

Most of our placements take 8-10 weeks. The process involves:

An initial phone call by ACNY for additional information on your agency.
An exploratory visit to your facility by an ACNY staff person.
An introductory meeting including ACNY, a curator and selected senior members of your staff to survey your facilities and determine an installation theme.
A second meeting with the curator, your involved senior staffers (and possibly an agency client representative) and ACNY during which you will review suggested artwork for installation. The curator will introduce the works; you and your staff will choose which pieces you want for installation and determine where the work will go.
Having artwork framed, as needed.
Supporting ACNY staff and curator during installation of selected artwork. The work will be installed, as agreed, in your facility. Each piece will be accompanied by a wall plaque. A curatorial statement will also be mounted with the installation.
Training appropriate agency staff members on proper care of the artwork.
Encouraging you to have a celebration around the installation, which will include the artists, your staff and clients and others you may wish to include.
ACNY looking for ways to publicize your agency and the placement.

ICD Receives
Art via ACNY

Martin Mullin, Fort Series II, 2005, Multi Media on Museum Board (40" x 30")

More than 1,000 people come to ICD every day — patients and clients, employees and volunteers, senior citizens who attend the Stein Senior Center housed at ICD, special needs high school students who utilize classroom space and resources, local political leaders and community members, and many others. They all enjoy the benefits of the extraordinary gift of art ICD received through Art Connects NY.

"Our partnership with Art Connects NY has exceeded our expectations in every way. Our staff and patients are thrilled to be around this terrific artwork. It enlivens our day and creates a compelling and engaging environment for all who come here."

Les Halpert, Ph.D.
ICD President and CEO

"It’s so wonderful to have this artwork on the 5th floor where I see my doctors and therapists. Before I go into the physical therapy gym, I wheel down the corridor past this beautiful work — and I enter the gym in a different frame of mind that helps me cope a little better with treatment."

Maria S.
ICD Client

"They say that art can be healing — and I believe that’s true. I know I feel better — emotionally and even physically — when I take a few minutes out of my day to look at the artwork displayed here at ICD. I really love several pieces, and find myself gravitating back to them over and over for the inspiration and tranquility they offer."

Sondra Segal
Development Office

ICD-International Center for the Disabled-was the first comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation center in the United States. Over the course of its 90 year history, ICD has provided high-quality integrated rehabilitative care to more than a quarter of a million individuals with every type of disability and chronic health condition. The agency serves over 4,000 people annually, from young children to the elderly, from all five boroughs of New York City. ICD’s mission is to help people with disabilities achieve better health and greater independence at home, in school, at work and in the community.