Parrish Art Museum Hosts Meeting About Annual Funding Vote
On Saturday, May 13 at 11 a.m, the Parrish Art Museum will host a public information meeting to answer questions and provide facts to the community about their annual request for funding to support public programs, exhibitions, educational outreach and other services to the community. The vote to approve or deny these funds, which is part of the Southampton School District’s 2017-2018 ballot, will also be held at the Museum (279 Montauk Highway) in Water Mill on Saturday, June 3.
The Parrish is requesting $339,569, which is raised by a tax levy on the taxable real property within the Southampton Union Free School District’s boundaries. If the funding is approved, residents of the district would pay $1.43 for every $100,000 in assessed property value. Voters have approved this vital support for exhibition and program expenses every year since the 1970s, and each year the Museum increases the services it provides.
At the event on Saturday, which is open to the entire community, Parrish Deputy Director Chris Siefert will answer questions on the upcoming vote and provide information about the Parrish and how it uses the funds for its wide range of exhibitions and programs.
Admission to the Museum is free for those attending the public information meeting, and participants are invited to visit the galleries, café and shop before or after the program. Residents of the Tuckahoe and Southampton school districts are also encouraged to sign up for the Resident Members program, which provides free admission to the Museum and many of its programs year-round.
“We are extremely thankful for all of the support the community provides for the Parrish,” Siefert said. “We rely on our partnerships to continue to offer a wide-ranging slate of exhibitions, public programs, and educational workshops. And we are committed to being an important place in the lives of Southampton residents.”
Funding helps Museum offerings and outreach efforts, such as collaborating with local teachers to create on- and off-site programs; daily free admission to students and children under 18, and reduced admission to seniors; as well as art classes, workshops and tours for children, teens and families. The money also goes toward producing more than 100 public programs each year, including music, talks, film screenings, and presenting masterworks from the Parrish permanent collection, along with five changing exhibitions each year.
If you have any hesitation whatsoever about voting YES on this important ballot, or if you’ve never been to this excellent museum, visit the Parrish Art Museum at 279 Montauk Highway in Water Mill on Saturday, or any other day.
To learn more, visit parrishart.org.