ABOUT US
The CREATE Council on the Arts is a not-for-profit, arts service organization. Our purpose is to broaden and enrich the quality of life in Greene, Columbia & Schoharie Counties by developing and strengthening all the arts and by fostering cultural and arts related activities.
CREATE stands for Council for Resources to Enrich the Arts, Technology & Education. Through our grant and community programs, we support the many facets of the area’s creative economy.
OUR VISION
We envision a community that celebrates artistic and cultural diversity and inspires creative engagement.
OUR MISSION
To support and advance the arts and cultural community by broadening and enriching creative resources and economic growth in the region.
OUR STORY
1975
Initially founded as Greene County Council on the Arts (GCCA) by a group that included Bill Cook, Ed White, John Wessel, Dena Crane, Ruben Garcia, Nan Guterman, Claudia Lane, Jim Starr and Kay Stamer. With support from NYSCA (New York State Council on the Arts) the council developed a strategy with public input and developed a plan for programs and services
1976
First GCCA office opens in Athens
1980
Moves from Athens to Catskill and opens new office space + gallery
1982
Offsite extension for showcasing local artists – display cases at the Amtrak Train Station in Hudson
1986
Receives first regrant funds from NYSCA, Arts in Education & Decentralization
1997
Begins administration of NYSCA Decentralization regrants for Columbia County
2012
Begins administration of NYSCA Decentralization regrants for Schoharie County
2012-2013
Creates “Mainly Greene” through NYSCA’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) initiative — a collaboration of four Greene County arts organizations using the arts as a Main Street business catalyst to promote the region’s cultural, historic and geographic adventures to residents and visitors. This partnership brings together Masters on Main Street, Catskill Mountain Foundation, Prattsville Art Workshop & Residency and the Zadock Pratt Museum to promote the arts and culture, events and excursions around Greene County
2019
Becomes CREATE Council on the Arts to reflect our service as the art council of Greene, Columbia and Schoharie counties.