Center for Community Arts received an award of $10,000 from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation

CAPE MAY – As a result of super storm Hurricane Sandy and the collateral damage sustained, the Center for Community Arts received an award of $10,000 from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. At CCA’s January Board of Trustee meeting, the award was announced and Executive Director Bernadette Matthews had this to say, ‘the grant is to mitigate the losses described in our grant application following Hurricane Sandy and that the Foundation said it was delighted to support our work and look forward to working with us in the year ahead’. Also at the Board meeting the following new CCA Board Trustees were announced: Sandra Jensen, Daniel Kurkowski and Robert Matthews, Jr. CCA Board Chair, Gail Pierson welcomed the new Board Trustees and expressed gratitude for the grant received from the Rauschenberg Foundation.

While Cape May received very little damage due to Hurricane Sandy, the Center for Community Arts was forced to cancel its Harvest Fling fundraising event and fundraisers associated with the Exit 0 International Jazz Festival incurring losses from these cancellations.

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and Lambent Foundation (a project of the Tides Center) announced a two-pronged major relief effort to assist artists and non-profit arts organizations who suffered serious damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Every effort helps in a state of emergency - we are struck by the scope of need," said Christy MacLear, Executive Director of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. "Pooling our resources with other artist foundations will help simplify the points of access for both artists and organizations - hopefully making the process of request as simple as possible for those hardest hit."

Robert Rauschenberg formed the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation in 1990 to promote awareness of the causes and groups close to his heart. Activities of the Foundation have included grant making, educational programs, prints and campaigns to benefit environmental and humanitarian initiatives. Today, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation extends this scope with varied programs, including a new grant for artistic innovation and collaboration, and direct assistance for the advancement of art. The Foundation's Vision, Mission and Strategy are coordinated to promote the artist's values and to ensure that all endeavours express the essence of Robert Rauschenberg's philosophy: "Art Can Change the World."

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation seeks to further the artist's philanthropic and educational initiatives, and aims to preserve and advance global understanding of the legacy of Robert Rauschenberg's life and artwork.

The Center for Community Arts is a multi-faceted arts education and humanities organization that includes the Youth Arts Program (YAP-Saturday Night) for youth ages 10-14, Art at the Library in 5 Cape May county locations for youth ages 5-9 and Summer Art Camp for ages 3 1/5 to 14. WCFA-LP 101.5FM, adult arts programs, Community History Committee and the rehabilitation of the Franklin Street School are additional CCA programs vital to the Cape May County community. For more information, call CCA at 609-884-7525 or go to www.centerforcommunityarts.org.