Islip Arts Council

50 Irish Lane
East Islip, NY 11730
(631) 224-5420

In 1986, the Long Island Tourism & Convention Commission cited the outstanding programs which the Islip Arts Council has brought to the community as being "most beneficial to the quality of life of all residents in the Town of Islip and surrounding communities."

The Islip Arts Council provides a diverse audience with activities that encompass both presentation and service to the Arts field. Its presentations cover a variety of disciplines ranging from fine classical music to young persons’ programs to avant garde “performance art”. The Council services enable existing and emerging Arts Organizations to gain information and assistance from the Arts Council library and staff in applying for not-for-profit status, funding, computer services, publicity, mailing lists, etc. The Arts Council website publicizes the activities of the various Arts Organizations around the Island.

Mission Statement

The Islip Arts Council is dedicated to leadership, advocacy and excellence in the arts by presenting, producing and promoting culturally responsive, high quality programs for diverse populations in varied artistic disciplines. In partnership with local, state, federal and private organizations, our goal is to facilitate these programs in response to the needs of our community and Long Island at large.

Programs:

New York Philharmonic Free Concerts

The Annual Free New York Philharmonic Concert at Heckscher State Park has become the most important cultural event in Suffolk County.
This year, the NY Philharmonic attracted an audience of more than 66,900. Presented by the Islip Arts Council and the New York Philharmonic Free Concert Committee of Long Island, the concert is funded with contributions and grants from private and public sources. This popular event also features a fireworks display by the world-famous Grucci family.

Chamber Music Series

The Islip Arts Council Chamber Music Series features world-renowned artists and has long been considered the best musical value available on Long Island. The intimacy reminiscent of 19th century chamber music concerts is captured in the acoustically-perfect 392-seat David Jones Concert Hall in Sayville.

Free Concerts

The Islip Arts Council free concerts at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum continue to attract capacity audiences on Sunday afternoons January thru March, June thru August and feature rising young professional musicians as well as local favorites of the highest caliber. This series includes Concert Artist Guild Award winners renowned in the international classical community.

The Islip Arts Council also presents a Brown Bag Lunch Series sponsored by Bay Shore BID and held at the Bay Shore Band Shell on Main Street every Tuesday at 12:30 PM in July and August. In June and September, the Islip Arts Council Free Concerts Series is also held at the Sayville Common Ground featuring family-friendly groups. In August, the Gardiner County Park Twilight Series features local artists, groups, big bands, swingtime and jazz. In November, the Islip Arts Council will present a three-concert series at the Brentwood Library featuring Latin music and performances.

Discover Music Series

The Islip Arts Council is hosting a new series at the East Islip Public Library sponsored by the John and Linda Bohlsen Foundation. This exciting new series introduces topics in music through a mixture of lecture, slides, live music and dance in one-hour presentations by local musicians and musicologists. This series is held at 7 PM on the second and fourth Thursday of each month until June 2009.

Master Class Schedule

In cooperation with the Long Island Philharmonic and various Chamber groups selected student musicians perform for celebrated musicians and principal players who appear as guest artists. This is an invaluable opportunity to work with some of the world's finest musicians. Participation is limited and requires teacher recommendation.

Teeny Awards - At the Boulton Center May 31st

The Teeny Awards is a student arts recognition program of the Islip Arts Council. The original Teeny Awards Program was established in 2002 by the East End Arts Council and is patterned after the Tony Awards. By invitation from the East End Arts Council, the Islip Arts Council is proud to host the Teeny Awards at the Boulton Center in May 2009.The mission of the Teeny Awards is to recognize and celebrate the talented theatre students across Islip Township, encourage them to pursue their dreams, and to stimulate local interest while developing an understanding of the value of theatre education in a well-rounded school curriculum.The Teeny Awards reflect a commitment by the Islip Arts Council to recognize high school theatre as an opportunity for young people to prepare themselves for the world beyond the school walls.