$247,000 Grant Completes Parking Lot, Accessibility Upgrades, Kitchen Improvements at Local Music-Based Nonprofit
Poloncarz, Chimera, Marinucci Join Center Staff at Music Memories Cafe
ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County’s Cultural Capital Grant program continues to invest in arts and cultural organizations countywide, assisting them with improvements they might not have been able to fund otherwise and strengthening their facilities and programming for future generations to enjoy. The West Falls Center for the Arts is such an organization, a local music-based nonprofit that has been attracting more people interested in playing, learning about and enjoying music. A cultural capital grant of $247,000 helped with the completion of the Center’s parking lot along with needed accessibility upgrades and improvements to its kitchen facilities.
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz today joined Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera, Town of Aurora Board member Joe McCann, Commissioner of Senior Services Angela Marinucci and Commissioner of Environment and Planning Dan Castle, and Center Director Bill Panzica to discuss the upgrades that better serve the growing numbers of people taking advantage of the Center’s music programs available to those in need. The Center’s Music Memories Café, designed for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s, was in progress during the group’s visit.
“The cultural capital grant program was designed to aid organizations such as the West Falls Center for the Arts, one of many such places across Erie County that serves the public and addresses a need. By helping to fund improvements here, we are helping to improve the lives of the growing number of music enthusiasts who pass through these doors,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “These grants are preserving history, improving quality of life, and strengthening our community countywide.”
Construction on the Center’s outdoor space was recently completed, creating updated and accessible space for the community and the participants in the Center’s programs:
- Nationally recognized Musical Memories Cafe for individuals with Alzheimer’s/dementia & their caregivers, as well as isolated adults;
- Free music lessons for veterans, first responders, and their families;
- Kids Jam - music mentoring for young artists.
“We are so grateful to Erie County for investing in our community. The Center has become a vibrant and essential rural arts center, and this upgrade will create a better and safer experience for all,” said West Falls Center for the Arts Executive Director Carolyn Panzica.
“Capital projects like this that support both a thriving arts and music organization that also provides such critical programming for memory impaired and isolated seniors, veterans, first responders, and children that are most impactful,” said Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera. “As a former teacher, I’ve seen the value that these types of music programs have on children through adults.”
“The Music Memories Café that West Falls Center for the Arts is such an impactful program for our county residents with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Being here today and seeing the program in action is such confirmation of the importance of these music programs to the quality of life for those with memory impairments and their families and caregivers,” added Angela Marinucci, Erie County Commissioner of Senior Services.
About West Falls Center for the Arts:
West Falls Center for the Arts is not just a place. It’s a vibrant nonprofit arts and cultural destination hub where we enrich lives by collaborating, inspiring, and educating through music. We make unforgettable experiences available to those who truly need it but may not have access.
We offer world-class musical entertainment serving rural, urban, and underserved communities. In addition to our fun performances that encourage creative musical collaboration, we have three programs designed to create music-based companionship and connection that give meaning and hope:
1. Musical Memories Café - Nationally recognized program for caregivers and their loved ones living with Alzheimer's, dementia, and isolation.
2. Military Veterans & First Responders – Free Harmonica, ukulele, and guitar lessons for Military Veterans, 1st responders and their families.
3. Kids Jam - A program where children and adolescents can learn from and play along with professional musicians, forming a band and playing locally and in music festivals in the spring.
Visit www.westfallsartcenter.org to learn more or contact Executive Director Carolyn Panzica at
wes$allsartcenter@gmail.com or (716)-570-6520
For more information:
On the Erie County Department of Senior Services, visit https://www3.erie.gov/seniorservices/
On the Erie County Department of Environment and planning, visit
https://www3.erie.gov/environment/
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