The Catskill Art Society is located in the lovely hamlet of Livingston Manor, NY. Our expanded 4,500+ square foot multi-disciplinary facility with lots of natural light, loft-like ceilings, and beautiful natural bamboo flooring includes a designated fine arts gallery, a large multi-purpose space, a pottery studio, a painting studio, two classrooms, and a gift shop. CAS Arts Center is wheel chair accessible.

The Catskill Art Society is a vibrant center for people who share a love of art and culture.

Catskill Art Society
“Our Story”

In late 2007, the Catskill Art Society (CAS) took a giant step forward by moving to a 4,500 sq.ft. store-front in Livingston Manor from its small donated space at the Sullivan County Museum in Hurleyville.  Our new facility, the CAS Arts Center, has enabled us to realize our mission of becoming a multi-arts center housing two formal galleries, an exhibition hall, quality classrooms, a small gift shop and a multi-purpose space.  To fund this move CAS expanded its programming with curated exhibitions from local and nationally-known artists, multi-arts classes of broader range and more special events for our members and the public to enjoy.  

2008 was our first full year in the new facility and our accomplishments have surpassed expectations:

• Several juried exhibitions showcasing nationally respected and local artists.
• Annual Member Show featuring over 50 local member artists.
• Sullivan County High School Art Show.
• 7-week double feature Comedy Film Festival
• Ongoing Performance Series including: one music and film performance; two African Drum and Dance performances; three live sound installations; and a performance arts workshop (PAW) performance
• 75 widely diverse multi-arts classes
• 2 Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce initiatives: the annual Trout Parade with an original CAS float complete with 13 dancing grade school students and Holiday Trains on Main featuring a miniature train model of Livingston Manor prominently displayed in our windows
• 3 Major Fundraising Benefits
• Gift Shop featuring works by local artisans
• Inception of a High School scholarship program

All exhibitions, artists’ talks and opening receptions are free and open to the public. We offer regularly scheduled courses in visual arts, pottery classes in a fully equipped clay studio, dance and live music performances, and several children’s activities. CAS has held a diverse series of exceptional fundraising events that have been very well attended. Our unique gallery on Main Street in Livingston Manor has improved the quality of life in Sullivan County and attracted visitors from around the region. Our ongoing activities have brought increased traffic and attention to our neighboring Livingston Manor businesses as well.

As our 2008 fiscal year was drawing to a close we learned that the eagerly anticipated NYSCA operating support for our funding cycle was completely cut from the NYS budget in response to the state’s financial crisis. This cut, solely based on poor timing rather than merit, has impacted over 600 arts related not-for-profit organizations across the state including our own.  Now CAS is facing a serious budget shortfall due to a $50,000 deficit in our expected funding.  Despite our face-to-face meetings with legislators in Albany and numerous support letters from our community, we have been unable to alter this path of budget cuts to the Arts.

CAS has made a number of adjustments to rapidly reduce our expenses including: shorter work hours for our Director and shorter gallery hours to reduce utility costs. We have negotiated reductions in our building rental, utility expenses, and made other adjustments where possible.

With this story we are asking for assistance from our Sullivan County neighbors to help us keep CAS’s doors open throughout 2009 and beyond.  Increased membership and new corporate sponsors will allow us to continue to serve the community, promote interest in the arts and support the work of our many local artists.  

The Catskill Art Society brings a unique opportunity for Sullivan County residents to learn about and enjoy the Arts, support local artists and businesses, and generally enhance quality of life.  It provides an opportunity for hands-on learning through classes; visual learning and enjoyment through exhibitions along with the opportunity to meet and speak with the artists themselves. Your willingness to help financially is greatly appreciated. Please call, we would like to tell you about all that we have to offer. 

Sincerely,

Catskill Art Society
Board of Directors