Anonymous Arts Patron Presents Flushing Town Hall With A Challenge: Raise $40,000 And The Donor Will Match it

Flushing Town Hall has been presented with a significant challenge on the 40th anniversary season of the Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts: if Flushing Town Hall can raise $40,000 in new or increased donations by February 2019, an anonymous donor will match that with another $40,000.

"This is a challenge we're excited to take on," said Ellen Kodadek, Flushing Town Hall's Executive and Artistic Director. "It's not every day that an institutional supporter presents such an offer. We're confident that many of those people - from Queens and beyond - who have enjoyed Flushing Town Hall will step up and show their support. Every dollar not only counts - but will be doubled!"

The donor - whose full identity has not been provided to Flushing Town Hall - is described as a patron of the arts. A member of Flushing Town Hall's Board of Trustees served as the conduit for the offer.

The challenge, announced this week, will apply to any new or increased contributions (and not to any pre-existing financial commitments) from individuals, foundations, and businesses. The $40,000 must be raised within six months - by February 28, 2019.

The funding will help Flushing Town Hall continue to provide free and affordable programming that exemplifies its mission to provide global arts to a global community, bringing many artists from across the globe to Queens. In recent years, the venue also began offering free admission to teenagers, to spur their engagement with the arts, as part of a Teen Access Program, and throughout its year-round programming provides multiple opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy presentations from across the cultural spectrum.

"I hope this challenge motivates others to see what I do: an institution that presents with a passion and a purpose, that opens its doors to everyone, that celebrates diversity, and creates community," the donor said through the Board Trustee.

Visit http://www.flushingtownhall.org/donate to make a contribution.

The "40" in "$40,000" represents this year's 40th anniversary of the Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts (FCCA), the steward of Flushing Town Hall. FCCA, located at historic Flushing Town Hall, was founded in 1979 to be a revitalizing force for its community, a catalyst for developing and promoting the visual and performing arts in Queens, and a bridge to promote intercultural understanding through the arts in the most culturally diverse county in the United States.

Flushing Town Hall is accessible by car, bus, train and foot - located a short distance from the 7 train - at 137-35 Northern Blvd., in Flushing, Queens. Access for wheelchair users and individuals with limited mobility is available.

Flushing Town Hall is a not for profit organization which receives major support from the National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; New York State Assembly Member Ron Kim; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Mayor Bill de Blasio; Queens Borough President Melinda Katz; Council Members Adrienne Adams, Costa Constantinides, Daniel Dromm, Barry Grodenchik, Peter Koo, Karen Koslowitz, Francisco Moya, and Paul A. Vallone; and the Howard Gilman Foundation, the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, and the Lily Auchincloss Foundation.

Support for our programs is also provided by Atlantic Philanthropies Director / Employee Designated Gift Program, Cathay Bank, Michael Cheng / Epos Development, Dr. Hsing-Lih Chou / New York Institute of Culture and the Arts, Con Edison, Crossings TV, Culture Center of TECO in New York, Heidi & Jonathan Davis, Exploring the Metropolis, Steven Facey, Jim Henson Foundation, Keith Haring Foundation, Kenneth Koranyi, Kuang-Yu Fong / Chinese Theatre Works, Barbara Garii, Heather Harrison, Raymond D. Jasen, Ellen Kodadek, Nelson Lee / Flushing Bank, Law Offices of Vincent Toomey, James S. Liao, Emily Lin / Lin & Loveall Foundation, Anita Liu, Louis Armstrong Education Foundation, Lyell Korea, Materials for the Arts, William McClure, NYC & Company Foundation, New York Community Bank Foundation, Northwell Health, Queens Art Education Center / Arthur Liu, Queens College, Queens Courier, Georgiana Reese-Benatti, RuDance / Asian American Dance Sport Corp., Mike Sperendi & Jan Schneider, Vincent Toomey, Mei Ya Tsai, Veronica Tsang, Claire Shulman, Tai & Tony Wang / WAC Lighting, Jay Wegman, Edwina & Eldwin Wong, Minwen Yang, and Hank Yeh.

This engagement of La Patronal is funded through Southern Exposure: Performing Arts of Latin America, a program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

This engagement of Banda Magda is made possible through the Jazz Touring Network program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

This engagement of Rio Mira is funded through Southern Exposure: Performing Arts of Latin America, a program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Lead support for Carnegie Hall Citywide: Hazmat Modine is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation. Additional support is provided by the A. L. and Jennie L. Luria Foundation.

Stone Engravings of Diamond Sutra and Light & Beat: Art of Korean Drumming are sponsored by Lyell Korea.

The Rainbow Fish is supported in part by the Jim Henson Foundation.

*Contributions for FY19 at the $500 level and above, and received as of July 30, 2018 are listed.

Flushing Town Hall (FTH) 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.