Bronx, NY - The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) is delighted to announce the 2023 Arts on the Block grant recipients. This grant, designed to cover artist fees for block parties and single-block festivals, embraces the transformative power of the arts to strengthen the Bronx community.  

Arts on the Block is a grassroots initiative that aims to support small local organizations and block associations with the goal of increasing event attendance. This grant, made possible with funding from the New York State Council on the Arts and the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, is a testament to the significance of providing artist activities for communities throughout the borough.

In its third year, this grant cycle received impressive applications from skilled local organizations and block associations. After a comprehensive review, our panel selected six organizations whose outstanding proposals beautifully combined artistic excellence with community engagement.  

Below are the 2023 Arts on the Block Recipients:

The Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) aims to build a diverse community that provides accessible cultural arts performances, training, education, and philanthropic community-based programs for all. Their annual performing arts program, Colors of Rhythm, features Bangladeshi folk and classical dances, classical Indian singing, guitar and tabla performances, and more.

The Boone Avenue Walls Foundation curates unique community art projects with the goal of beautifying inner-city neighborhoods through artist-install murals, quality-of-life initiatives, annual art walks, and more. The Boone Avenue Walls Art Festival is an annual celebration of the arts, community, and cultural expression.

The mission of the Building 13 Association is to enhance the quality of life within the Co-op City community by being a leading force for positive social change and delivering value through informative programming, advocacy, and service. For 15 years, the Association has supported its community through various artist and social events, including programs like Hispanic Heritage Music in the Air and Master Mime Ministry.

Hip Hop Blvd and ABBA are dedicated to protecting, preserving, and empowering Hip Hop and its pioneers, people, and culture with the goal of bringing positive change in communities worldwide. Their third annual Jazzy Jay HipHop Festival honors 50 Years of HipHop by celebrating the historic origins of the music genre within the Bronx community.

The James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center strives for inquiry and project-based solutions at the juncture of food, environmental and social justice. The 14th annual Harvest Festival celebrates their recent harvest and accomplishments through ceremony, fellowship, song, and sacred dance with the goal of bringing community members into communion with nature.

The Soundview Reunion Committee develops programs that address the needs of families in and around the Soundview community. The committee's yearly Old Timer's Day, now in its 36th year, invites both past and present residents to come together and relive memories with loved ones, all while reestablishing ties with the community.