Help SPACE Spread Artistic Joy at Ryder Farm
‘Tis the season for giving, which why SPACE on Ryder Farm is asking the community to help the nonprofit to raise $15,000 by Dec. 31. This is SPACE’s the third online fundraising campaign, with money dedicated to funding the stays of 2013, renovate Ryder Farm, and expand its programs.
Founded in 2007 by executive director and seventh-generation Emily Ryder Simoness, SPACE aims to provide those looking to perfect their craft an alternative workspace to the confines of New York City. SPACE invites producers, actors, playwrights and other artists of various disciplines for a week or two of escape from the hustle and bustle and noise of the big city.
Through her fundraising efforts, Simoness has been able to host 200 artists working on 75 projects over just two seasons, restore two 18th Century buildings for artists’ use, build an outdoor stage and a dock on Peach Lake, create an organic food program that feeds artists, debut Sharing Space and develop an intern project.
Sharing Space has allowed Simoness connect the New York City arts community with the surrounding Putnam area, as the series invites members from the public to come to the farm and enjoy work from the artists she hosts.
The 2013 fundraising campaign focuses on “People, Structures and Programs”—the funds will help to house and provide for the 2013 fellows, continued renovation and upkeep of the farm’s infrastructure, and expand programs for artists, interns and the community at large.
Unlike last year’s Kickstarter campaign, Simoness is using Crowdrise to gather funds online. You can make your own contribution by visiting http://www.crowdrise.com/spaceseason3/fundraiser/spaceonthefarminc.
To find out more about SPACE on Ryder Farm, visit spaceonryderfarm.com.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.