LEWISTON — L/A Arts has been awarded a $20,000 pledge by Jonathan and Cathy Lee’s JCL Foundation, according to Consulting Director Louise Rosen.

The first $10,000 has been funded immediately, and the next $10,000 will be provided once matched by other donations.

“L/A Arts is positioned to be the arts engine for Lewiston-Auburn,” Jonathan Lee said. “With their receipt of the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant and their prospects for receiving further support for arts-based development, L/A Arts can help drive fresh, arts-inspired growth for Lewiston-Auburn. The JCL Foundation is pleased to support L/A Arts.” 

Next month, in conjunction with the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, L/A Arts will begin guiding a selection process to identify potential artist-makers who will receive technical and business support as part of the NEA grant. The LAEGC’s planning and financial staff will work with the selected artist-makers to create business plans and with L/A Arts to devise exhibition and marketing programs.

Concurrently, Rosen will be designing the implementation process for the new L-A Cultural Plan, funded through a Maine Arts Commission grant and matching support from the cities of Auburn and Lewiston.

“I have complete confidence in Louise and want to support L/A Arts’ impact in my hometown,” Lee said. “My father, Shep, began his career at Advance Auto Sales in Auburn, started by my grandfather, Joe Lifshitz. My three siblings and I were born and raised in Lewiston and have deep fondness for both cities. As Maine’s second largest urban area, L-A is poised for a new chapter and I know Shep would wish to see the arts playing a vital role. This contribution to L/A Arts is made in Shep’s memory.”

FMI: 207-782-7228, [email protected].