Category: News

NYSCA Announces $25,000 Grant Award to PBN!

Preservation Buffalo Niagara awarded $25,000 by the New York State Council on the Arts  

Buffalo, NY – Preservation Buffalo Niagara announced today a grant award totaling $25,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded $82 million this year to 509 artists and 1,497 organizations across the state.  

“As the unparalleled leader of arts and culture, New York’s creativity and innovation inspires the world,” Governor Hochul said. “Our continued investment in our dynamic creative sector will further boost tourism, strengthen our local economies and continue New York’s success as a rich and vibrant place to live, work and visit.” 

Executive Director of NYSCA Erika Mallin said, “On behalf of the Council and staff, I am so proud that we are supporting the critical work of so many nonprofit organizations all across the state, including the work of Preservation Buffalo Niagara. New York State’s art and culture nonprofits make us a global leader, strengthening our connections to each other and the larger world. I thank you for your dedication and service and look forward to all your work in the coming year.”  

About the New York State Council on the Arts 

The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award $162 million in FY2025, serving organizations and artists across all 10 of the state’s regions. The Council on the Arts further advances New York’s creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. 

Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA’s Facebook page, on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts. 

Celebrating a New Chapter for St. John Kanty’s Lyceum

Today, July 12th, marked a significant milestone in the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood as Community Services for Every1 held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Apartments at the Lyceum. This event, attended by Mayor Byron Brown, Common Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski, and State Senator Sean Ryan, celebrated the successful adaptive reuse of a historic building into 42 affordable workforce apartments. Among these, 12 units are specifically designated for survivors of domestic violence, 5 are fully ADA accessible, and 2 are for those with audio/visual impairments.

In 2023, a substantial investment of $18 million by Edgemere Development and Community Services for Every1 transformed the Lyceum into a pillar of hope and support for our community. This project not only preserves the architectural heritage of the historic 1930 building but also addresses critical housing needs.

However, the future of the St. John Kanty R.C. Church complex remains uncertain. The Buffalo Catholic Diocese has announced plans to close the church and merge its congregation with St. Stanislaus Church. The convent, a part of this historic complex, was listed for sale in May at $295,000.

Despite these challenges, there is a silver lining. Preservation Buffalo Niagara (PBN) is actively working to secure local landmark status for St. John Kanty and numerous other churches throughout the city. The Preservation Board will hold a public hearing on the landmark application on September 5th. Following this, they will send a recommendation for landmark status to the Common Council.

This effort underscores the importance of preserving our historic treasures and ensuring they continue to serve as vital parts of our community. By supporting these initiatives, we can honor our past while building a better Buffalo.

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Now Hiring: Executive Director

Preservation Buffalo Niagara (PBN) seeks a full-time Executive Director. This person will be responsible for the overall day-to-day operations of the organization and for ensuring that PBN has the talent and resources to achieve its mission, vision, and commitment to the community. The Executive Director will work in partnership with the Board of Directors and provide the leadership for the implementation of PBN’s strategic plan, provide oversite of the organization’s fundraising and marketing efforts, serve as PBN’s primary spokesperson, and advocate for policies that promote equity, inclusion, accessibility and justice. This position is located in Buffalo, NY.

Qualifications
A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 3 years of senior management-level experience or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 5 years of senior management-level experience; supervisory experience; strong financial management skills including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting; strong project management skills; hands-on experience working with a Board of Directors; excellent written and verbal communication skills; and fund development expertise. The successful candidate will be comfortable working with diverse people and communities. A technical background in preservation is desirable.

Compensation
The salary for this position will be in the $95,000 range. PBN has generous time-off policies and a flexible work schedule. The anticipated start date is April 2023.

To Apply
Please send a letter of interest and resume to jobs@pbnsaves.org by January 5, 2023.

About Us
Preservation Buffalo Niagara is a non-profit advocacy organization that identifies, protects, and promotes the unique architecture and historic legacy of Western New York, while connecting people to the places they love. We serve WNY with a particular emphasis on Erie and Niagara counties. PBN is working hard to challenge existing preservation paradigms and create more diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible communities.

East Side Commercial Building Stabilization Funding Applications due December 2, 2022

In Autumn 2022, Preservation Buffalo Niagara is proud to partner with Empire State Development (ESD) to offer another round of funding through our East Side Commercial Building Stabilization Fund.

Click here to learn more about the East Side Commercial Building Stabilization Fund.

Applications for the current round of funding through the East Side Commercial Building Stabilization Fund are due by 5:00PM on Friday, December 2, 2022. Click the picture below or visit https://bit.ly/2022App_ESCBSF to review and submit an application.