{"id":32,"date":"2019-05-29T12:43:33","date_gmt":"2019-05-29T12:43:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kidsartsfestivalschenectady.com\/?page_id=32"},"modified":"2025-05-23T12:18:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T12:18:24","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kidsartsfestivalschenectady.com\/index.php\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The first Kids Arts Festival in June 1994 sought to provide a free outdoor arts festival for families in response to devastating state aid education cuts in December, 1993. The original founders deeply valued arts in education, and chose to hold this event in Downtown Schenectady because City Hall was within walking distance for many of the city school district\u2019s children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearly three decades later, we continue to provide hands-on arts education programming, activities and performances that are not only fun, but also promote sound visual education principles in downtown Schenectady for residents of all ages. As the Kids Arts Festival continues to grow and thrive, downtown Schenectady remains the heART of our efforts to inspire creativity in our local youth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to help?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Entertainment, activity and art sponsorships are available.  Please email Kids Arts Festival chair bsandberg782@gmail.com<\/a> for a sponsor commitment form.  Gifts of any size are welcome and are tax deductible. Make checks payable to Kids\u2019 Arts Festival and mail to 432 State St., Schenectady NY 12305. The sponsor of the event is 440 State Street, Inc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Board of Directors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ebony Belmar,\u00a0<\/strong>Social Worker, Schenectady City School District
Lanaea Bailey,\u00a0<\/strong>Assistant Director of Programming, Proctors
John Halstead<\/strong>, CPA
Dan Hanifin,<\/strong>\u00a0Relationships Director, Proctors
Hayward Derrick Horton,\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Professor of Sociology and the School of Public Health at SUNY Albany
Jean Leonard<\/strong>, President, Proctors
Philip Morris,<\/strong>\u00a0CEO of Proctors \u2013\u00a0President<\/strong>
Christopher Musto,<\/strong>\u00a0Finance Director, Proctors \u2013\u00a0Treasurer\u00a0<\/strong>to 440 State Street
Ann Parillo,<\/strong>\u00a0Producer\u00a0“Schenectady Today”\u00a0Cable Show \u2013\u00a0Secretary<\/strong>\u00a0to 440 State Street
James Salengo,\u00a0<\/strong>Regional External Affairs Manager, National Grid
Betsy Sandberg<\/strong>, Chair Kids Arts Festival
Dan Sheehan<\/strong>, Operations Director, Proctors \u2013\u00a0Vice President<\/strong>
Joseph Tardi,<\/strong>\u00a0Public Relations Consultant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

440 State Street, Inc. is an independent 501 (c) 3 corporation with its own goals and program.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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