The ArtsWestchester Advancing Equity Organization Award commends a non-profit cultural organization that serves residents of Westchester and demonstrates exemplary leadership in advancing social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility through and in the arts. Organizations may be nominated for specific programs or initiatives, or for broader service and mission. Members of the community may nominate non-profit cultural organizations for programs, projects, policies, practices, or other activities which they believe demonstrate outstanding leadership in advancing EDIA. To support the awardee in its continuing commitment to service, the Advancing Equity Arts Award comes with an unrestricted recognition grant.

The Advancing Equity Artist Award recognizes a Westchester-based individual artist whose body of work and creative practice advance social justice and within and through the arts. To support the awardee in its continuing commitment to service, the Advancing Equity Artist Award comes with a unrestricted recognition grant.

The Art$WChallenge matches gifts made in direct response to the Art$WChallenge during the period of August 15 through December 15, 2025. 

All donation documentation including donor form and proof of paid donation must be submitted through Submittable and will be processed in the order in which it is received. Matching funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participating organizations are encouraged to submit promptly, final submission deadline for documentation is 5PM on Friday, December 19, 2025. Hard copies or submissions by email will not be accepted. 

The Janet Langsam Vault Project is based on the belief that artists are visionaries who advance social change on both a micro and macro level. The Vault Project seeks to create an opportunity for artists to experiment, expand their practice, and have their voices heard. ArtsWestchester will provide funding for artists to conceptualize and realize site-responsive installations which also engage with important topics in the community. Of the project, Langsam says, “as vaults traditionally hold objects of high value, this space will be a permanent venue for artists to create, explore, and contribute to meaningful conversations. It is meant to elevate the intrinsic value of the arts beyond the marketplace.”

In 1998, as CEO of ArtsWestchester, Langsam led the acquisition and restoration of the People’s Bank & Trust building, a nine-story historic landmark now known as the Arts Exchange. Langsam sees the transformation of the building into an arts center protecting the building as a trusted place for the community. Artist studios, an exhibition and performance space, and educational opportunities are available for area residents and visitors year-round. The Mosler Safe Company’s vault, measuring 11ft x 15ft, is the focal point of the Grand Banking Room gallery. During ArtsWestchester’s initial renovation of the building in 2000, the vault was converted into a discreet gallery within a gallery. The 168 square foot space is ideal for promoting intimate experiences with outstanding works of art.  

About the Opportunity:

Artists are invited to submit proposals for the Janet Langsam Vault Project. Selected artists shall receive a grant of $3,500 to realize a site-responsive installation within the decommissioned bank vault in the gallery of ArtsWestchester.  In addition, the artist is asked to design and lead a community engagement component of their project to be shared with the public, this can include an artist-led workshop, class, or event. There are two (2) available times. Artists should consider the following in shaping proposals:

• The Vault space is an opportunity in which to change or create an environment. The goal is for the viewer to have a thoughtful interaction by engaging with the vault as both a physical space and a conceptual idea. We welcome proposals in any/all media including performance, intervention, installation, sculpture, painting, photography, sound, video, text and projection.

• The selected proposal will clearly outline a vision for the space, have a specific point of view, and will stand out for its originality, creativity, and site-sensitivity/responsiveness. This is not an opportunity to exhibit discrete, individual works of art, but rather to create an immersive experience for the viewer.

• Projects can be provocative, keeping in mind we are an inclusive public space, with a broad audience, which includes many young viewers as well as the diverse cultural communities that make up Westchester County.

• Applicants should be able to demonstrate a capacity to develop/create an expansive installation.

• Finalist will work with ArtsWestchester to develop an artist-led workshop based on their project following the opening of the vault.

• Awards will be made by a panel of professionals in the art field.

Application Materials:

- Contact information (name, address, email, etc.)

- Vision Statement for the Vault Project (250 words)

- Proposal (up to 5 images of sketches/models/etc.)

- Previous Works (up to 10 images with a maximum of 20)

Timeline: 

RFP opens November 8, 2025

RFP deadline December 19, 2025

Finalist Interviews February 2026

Announcement of Finalist April 2026

Installation May 2026 OR September 2026

Exhibition May - July 2026 OR September 2026 - January 2027

Terms:

- Funds are all-inclusive of the needs of the project. ArtsWestchester will not pay past the allotted amount for additional expenses.

- ArtsWestchester reserves the right to decline all proposals if none meet the criteria as scored by the panel.

- Funds will be disbursed after all agreements are signed. 50% will be given at signing, 25% upon satisfactory completion of the installation, 25% upon completion of public engagement component of the project.

- ArtsWestchester reserves the right to terminate the project if it is deemed unsafe, inappropriate, or not in keeping with the approved proposal.

- ArtsWestchester will clean and prep the Vault prior to installation. Artists can expect white walls and lighting at the beginning of project.

- Artists should be available for an opening reception, which will include a short 10-15 minute artist talk, to be followed by a private donor reception off-site. 

     Key Information:

The Mosler Safe was built out of steel. In it's conversion, plywood was added to allow for artwork to be hung on the walls. Please note the ceiling is made of steel and cannot be drilled into, though heavy-duty magnets work. There is a single outlet for electronics. The dimensions of the space is 11 ft by 15 ft. As there is a slight elevation, there is an accessible 12" ramp integrated into the room, original to the design. 

Questions can be sent to Logan Hanley, lhanley@artswestchester.org. 

The Larry Salley Photography Award

Presented by ArtsWestchester in partnership with the African American Men of Westchester

 

ArtsWestchester seeks nominations for the eighth annual Larry Salley Photography Award. The award recognizes a Hudson Valley photographer with a significant body of work of high merit, whose artistic practice would be significantly advanced by the award, and who embodies the community spirit of the late Larry Salley. The award recipient will be honored at the ArtsWestchester Arts Award in April 2026, and furnished with a $1,500 cash prize. Award finalists and winner will have the opportunity to be included in an online exhibition located on ArtsWestchester's website.

All nominees will be reviewed by a panel including a representatives of ArtsWestchester, the African American Men of Westchester, the family of Larry Salley, and a guest juror with a deep professional knowledge of photography.


APPLICATION CRITERIA & Eligibility


 

• Nominees should be artists who convey their unique visions through the medium of photography. 
• Artists must live in, maintain a studio, or have strong ties to the Hudson Valley region (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, and Sullivan Counties). 
• Artists must be actively exhibiting current work in professional artistic venues. ArtsWestchester encourages nominations of artists for whom a cash award would aid them in the advancement of their professional practice.
• Nominees may be at any stage in their photographic career. Artists whose primary source of income is not from their photographic practice are eligible. Nominations of artists who are working to complete a body of work, or towards a specific exhibition are strongly encouraged.
• Nominators/artists should provide a brief statement describing why you think you/the candidate merits consideration for the Larry Salley Photography Award and how the award would help advance your/the artist’s career.
• The deadline for applications is 11:59pm on Monday, February 2, 2025.
• Self-nominations are welcomes, but photographers should provide the name, contact information, and profession of at least one reference.

ABOUT LARRY SALLEY & THE LARRY SALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD

  ArtsWestchester is partnering with The African American Men of Westchester in order to celebrate the life and artistic achievements of Lawrence “Larry” C. Salley who was an active member of both organizations. Larry lived and worked in Westchester County (White Plains) where he assumed the leadership roles of Deputy Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Planning and Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Transportation. In his spare time, he was a gifted photographer. His photos were recently featured in an ArtsWestchester exhibition called “The Photographer’s Journey: A Tribute to Larry Salley”.

For questions, please contact: Logan Hanley, Gallery Registrar, lhanley@artswestchester.org  or 914.428.4220