CLINTON, N.Y. — The Kirkland Art Center (KAC) announced it will use a $1,530 grant from the Jack and Trudy Owens Fund of the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies.

The PPE is needed to meet public-health requirements and continue to offer arts programming in a safe environment for students, volunteers, instructors, staff, and visitors, the KAC said in a news release.

Founded in 1960, the Kirkland Art Center says it is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating children and adults, advocating for artists and the arts, and engaging the community in a range of cultural experiences and opportunities.

“The pandemic has presented us all with many challenges, especially nonprofit organizations. This award makes it possible for the KAC to keep our community members healthy while engaging with the arts,” Damhnait McHugh, board co-president, said. “We are so glad we can continue with some programs and look forward to welcoming everyone back to a full slate of arts activities as soon as we can all safely gather together again.” 

Despite the pandemic, the KAC says it continues to provide a range of arts education and programming for members of the community, including dance classes for almost 90 young children, art exhibitions online and in its gallery (Saturdays from 1-4 p.m.), outdoor Zumba (while the weather was still good), a “Free for All” event that made arts and crafts supplies available to community members, and a new, donor-funded “Snowed-In Artist-in-Residence” program in collaboration with The Garret on the Green, a nearby retreat and residency space.