The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is pleased to announce that the museum has been awarded the 2004 Upstate Organization Award for Advancing Cultural Development in New York from the Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations.

This award is presented annually to one upstate and one downstate organization, each of which has made outstanding contributions to the cultural community of New York State, including collaborative efforts, significant community partnerships, arts education, cultural development, community revitalization and artistic excellence.

"The Burchfield-Penney is proud of its history as a vital cultural institution within Western New York, and we look forward to a future that broadens the museum’s reach in the community, increases our educational programs and continues to contribute to the richness of Western New York’s unique cultural resources," said Ted Pietrzak, director of the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. "We are honored to be recognized by the Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations for our contribution to the cultural richness of our region."

As a founding sponsor of Art On Wheels, New York State Assembly Majority Leader Paul A. Tokasz said, "In the year 2000, the Burchfield-Penney Art Center successfully presented, with its partner the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, a major outdoor public art exhibit—Herd About Buffalo. Immediately following the conclusion of this project, the Burchfield-Penney entered into collaborative partnerships with more than 50 arts, heritage and cultural sites throughout the two-county Buffalo Niagara region, successfully staging Art On Wheels in 2003."

The Burchfield-Penney has a history of working with organizations across Western New York for the betterment of the region. Collaborative partners include Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Studio Arena Theatre, the New Mount Ararat Temple of Prayer, the Buffalo Alliance for Education as well as schools across the Buffalo Niagara region.

"The Burchfield-Penney Art Center's generosity and collegiality towards both large and small arts organizations—at a time when arts organizations of every ilk are struggling—is truly worthy of recognition. The museum has been a passionate voice on behalf of cultural development," continued Tokasz.

The Burchfield-Penney will be honored at the Alliance's Celebrate the Arts Gala on November 8, 2004 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at The Copacabana in New York City.

About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call (716) 878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.

About the Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations
The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a 29-year history as New York's primary service association for community based arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen cultural organizations. The Alliance informs the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support. Visit www.thealliancenys.org for more information.

The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and Erie County. Additional operating support is provided by the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the James Carey Evans Endhe Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundationand charitable contributions by museum members and visitors.