Reporter Moses Nagel is back! Recently, he spoke with artists Adam Frelin (Empty Signs), Lydia Kern (Efflorescence - Icon for Blooming | Shown Above) and folks on the streets of Troy about 'Troy Glow,' a public arts project organized and implemented by the Arts Center of the Capital Region.

Moses covers topics of regional interest for Hudson Mohawk Magazine, a program of 'Sanctuary Radio' based out of the Sanctuary for Independent Media.

This last month was a whirlwind with holiday and end of year activity. Our audience building collaboration with the Albany Symphony was a smashing success! (Big thanks to Bobby Pape on this one!) The joint promotion saw over 40 additional attendees to the Holiday Classics Series at the Troy Music Hall! Many had never been to the music hall before or an ASO performance. So excited to be a part of helping folks to experience an amazing regional cultural asset for the first time. This is going to kick off an ongoing series of ticket giveaways to help drive awareness of the world class culture and entertainment in our region. To be a part of the project, hit me up in the DM's. Our next partnership announcement will hit in January with more to come.

This month we decided to focus on a developing story in the City of Albany. The Albany Riverfront Collaboration is in full swing, endeavoring to drive a community based creative outcome through strong communication and outreach. Make sure to check out my conversation with Architect and Community Facilitator Jodi Smits Anderson to hear about how they hope to get the design program on the right track through an inclusionary program of outreach. Next we chatted with Joseph Mastroianni, VP of Programming and SCR Grants Coordinator for the Arts Center of the Capital Region. He shares the details on how regional artists and not for profits can get a piece of the $510K funding pot available for community based arts programming.

2023 is already shaping up to be a productive and collaborative year. I have been getting a lot of interest regarding programming / event partnerships from academic institutions and arts based educational programs. In February we are working on an event with Capital District film companies and producers to showcase regional film production at Saratoga Arts. April's sights are set on a collaboration between ACE!, Russell Sage College and the NYS Art Teachers Association (NYSATA). Recent meetings with Questarr BOCES, Saratoga Opera, Hudson Hall and an ongoing discussion with Lorraine Cox of Union College are seeding a potentially interesting collaborative synergy that will be a big focus for me in 2023 as I continue to explore regional arts education / job training and awareness for creative economy career paths in the Capital Region. Sounds like its time to reach out to our longtime partner friends at Workforce Development Institute...Dan Cullen, are you there?!

Finally, in close. I would be remiss this time of year if I did not reach out to those inclined who wish to support the ongoing mission of ACE! Please scroll down past the News / Opportunity section for my end of year pitch...Hat in Hand. I promise it will be simple and painless.

In close, I know my comments were long this time. So much to cover for not only the end of the year but for an aspirational new beginning of the next. I hope your remaining holidays are filled with good cheer and peace of mind. Let's all collectively take a moment and set an intention that 2023 will be not only a productive and fulfilling year but one filled with positive developments for our local communities and humanity at large. Until next time...keep it unabashedly creative!

E: hello@upstateace.org | W: upstatecreative.org | SOCIALS: @upstatecreative

ACE! runs lean. Especially now in a post COVID world. That said, for now we have found footing to keep doing what we are doing thanks to the generosity of a handful of generous individual, institutional contributors and project partners. But, as all of you know, the process is a continuous one.

A support organization for creatives and specifically freelance professionals like myself, ACE! strives to connect and collaborate with individuals and institutions to help support a vibrant Capital Region based creative economy. This year we highlighted the stories and raised awareness of many regional professionals including Sophia Vastek (Organ Colossal), Susie Davidson Powell (Hearst Communications), Pearl Cafritz (Salem Art Works), Chet Opalka (Regional Benefactor), Louise Kerr (Saratoga Arts), Zanelle LeBel (Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College), Dan Falkenstrom (Tech Valley Center of Gravity), The Arts Center of the Capital Region and Jodi Smits Anderson (Managing Principle at EYP : Facilitator at Albany Riverfront Collaborative) to name a few.

Your consideration helps support not only myself overseeing the organization but also other freelance professionals who help with content generation and live event based programming. ACE! has been involved with major arts / cultural / preservation and academic institutions in addition to creative for profit companies across the region and currently is working with a number of them to bring a collaborative energy to our community building approach.

In 2021, our only live event was in Troy NY where we partnered up with HBO to bring Production Designer Bob Shaw for a public event discussing the 'Gilded Age' and the value of historic properties to the film industry. We had just under 400 attendees to that one!

In 2022, we worked with several organizations creating events in Schenectady, Glens Falls and Albany. Organizational programming partners included the HYDE Collection, Park Theater, 518 Film Network, The Opalka Gallery, Russell Sage College, The City of Glens Falls, The Glens Falls Arts District, MiSci (Museum of Innovation and Science), The NEMA 2022 Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit and Union College to name a few.

Per my comments in the Inside ACE! segment above, 2023 is shaping up to be a productive year and surprisingly on the educational front. If you are so inclined and able, any bit you can forward our way to help cover the bills would be most appreciated. Expect a more sophisticated ask in the future. I am new to the fundraising part of the job and am doing my best to fit that hat on...regardless, I am passionate and believe whole heartedly in the mission.

For donation information or to discuss sponsorship opportunities please reach out to me directly:

Corey Aldrich at hello@upstateace.org | 518.9284622