FLUSHING, QUEENS (TIP): On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts (FCCA), aka Flushing Town Hall celebrated its 45th year enriching Queens’ vibrant cultural landscape at its Sapphire Gala fundraiser. The event commemorated FCCA’s long-standing commitment to fostering arts equity and supporting the diverse audiences and creative voices of Queens through performances and exhibitions, grantmaking, and professional development opportunities for artists.
The gala honored three distinguished individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to Queens’ cultural landscape: Luchia Meihua Lee, Executive Director of the Taiwanese American Arts Council (TAAC); Abha Bhatnagar Roy, Founding Director of Srijan Dance Center and a Flushing Town Hall Master Teaching Artist; and the Queens Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The festive evening featured a cocktail reception, live performances, and an awards presentation.
Since its founding in 1979, Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts (FCCA), aka Flushing Town Hall has been a vital force in the borough’s cultural scene, providing a platform for both emerging and established artists. The organization’s programs aim to amplify underrepresented voices, celebrate global arts, and ensure that the arts remain accessible. Through initiatives that span multiple disciplines, FCCA has empowered and supported countless artists to share their work with the community and beyond.
This year’s gala supporters included Presenting Sponsors Veronica Y. Tsang and the AIA Queens Chapter; Premier Sponsors Howard Graf, Kathleen Donovan, and Graf & Lewent Architects; and many others.
“Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts (FCCA), aka Flushing Town Hall has thrived for 45 years, thanks to the vision and generosity of our patrons, donors, funders, and elected officials. We are grateful to all who have believed in our mission across the decades, and especially thankful for this year’s gala sponsors and Honorees for their leadership. Many know us as Flushing Town Hall, and we are a proud Arts Council for Queens as Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts. Last year alone, we distributed over $430,000 in funding to local artists and small arts organizations, thanks to support from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Howard Gilman Foundation. The State has also contracted with us to do a cultural mapping of Queens,” said Ellen Kodadek, Executive and Artistic Director of Flushing Town Hall.
For more upcoming events at Flushing Town, visit:
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/fth-presents
COVID Policy:
Flushing Town Hall no longer requires visitors or performers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19; wearing a mask is optional but recommended. For more details, please visit www.flushingtownhall.org/covid-safety.
Support Global Arts with a Gift Today!
All gifts of $50 or more give you exclusive Flushing Town Hall Circle of Friends membership with benefits including a Smithsonian membership, ticket discounts, and more! Donations in any amount are appreciated to support the artists and the nonprofit cultural organization as they continue to provide programming and entertainment across New York and the world.
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/circle-of-friends
Flushing Town Hall is a not for profit organization and receives major support from the National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; New York State Assembly Member Ron Kim; The City of New York, Mayor Eric Adams; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Commissioner Laurie Cumbo; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; The New York City Council, Speaker Adrienne E. Adams and New York City Council Members Sandra Ung, Tiffany Caban, Shekar Krishnan, Linda Lee, Vickie Paladino, Lynn Schulman, and Julie Won; Howard Gilman Foundation, Guru Krupa Foundation, Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation; Lily Auchincloss Foundation; Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.
To view current donor lists, please visit www.flushingtownhall.org/donor-listings
About Flushing Town Hall
Flushing Town Hall (FTH), a Smithsonian affiliate, presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City in order to foster mutual appreciation. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, we support local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships and collaborations that enhance our efforts. As a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), we serve to restore, manage and program the historic 1862 landmark on behalf of the City of New York. FTH celebrates the history of Queens as the home of Jazz, by presenting the finest in Jazz performance. We are committed to arts education and hands-on learning, for the arts-curious, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists. We serve one of the most diverse communities in the world and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined our community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657.
Flushing Town Hall is a proud member of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), a collective of 34 nonprofit museums, performing arts centers, historical societies, zoos, and botanical gardens across all five boroughs with a distinct private-public partnership with the City of New York and a commitment to serving all New Yorkers.
Land Acknowledgement:
Flushing Town Hall acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Matinecock People, one of the original tribes of New York, and the first people of Flushing, Queens. The Matinecock continue to live and work on this land to this day. Flushing Town Hall honors their elders who have stewarded this land throughout generations.
- For more information:
- www.flushingtownhall.org
- (718) 463-7700 x222
- 137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354
