Bronx Council on the Arts to Open New Headquarters

The Bronx Council on the Arts has announced it will open a new headquarters in the Westchester Square section of the Bronx.

The nearly 50 year old organization will move into a former Washington Mutual branch, consolidating its existing three sites into one location. The building was donated by the JP Morgan Chase Foundation, and is valued at $850,000. Renovations at the 5,200 square-foot building, nearly double the size at the organization's current space on Hone Ave., will be completed by summer 2012.

Mayor Bloomberg described the importance of the organization for the arts community. "For 50 years the Bronx Council on the Arts has supported New York City's arts community with its wide-ranging programs--from art handler training to the Longwood Arts Gallery--and developed dynamic partnerships among Bronx arts institutions and businesses that attract visitors from across the city and around the world".

The Council's Executive Director Dierdre Scott said the headquarters will become an anchor for cultural energy and growth. "I cannot think of a more special way to represent the legacy and foundation of The Bronx Council on the Arts and bring the arts and culture to all of the residents of the Bronx," she said.

In addition to providing a new headquarters for the arts council, the new building will contain a gallery and boutique for local Bronx artists.