Annual Appeal 2024-25

Thank you for supporting the Art League of Long Island (ALLI).  I am incredibly grateful for your generous donations as we continue to rebuild from our reconstruction efforts this year.  We successfully kept our artist community alive and thriving, and we are now looking forward to our 70th Anniversary in 2025!

The 2024 Annual Appeal is more important and necessary than ever.  While we cannot forget the hardships we endured, we envision our bright future, celebrating 70 years as Long Island’s premier art education center.  Your donation ensures community impact – by providing a safe space where today’s students are inspired to create…for another 70 years and beyond.

The Mission – The annual appeal will fund unrestricted working capital to support the Art League’s mission. The Art League’s mission is the promise we live by; it’s the reason we exist. Since 1955, artists, teachers and dreamers have come for inspiration. Children and adults of all abilities learn and develop their artistic skills in our studios. Outreach programs bring art to underserved communities.  Artists are rewarded in first-class fine arts exhibitions.

The Impact is seen in each of our members.  Meet four thriving students who welcome each other openly, while providing the freedom to be inspired to create.

Meet John (they/them), who came to ALLI through our monthly Create Night programs, which are workshops for members and allies of the queer community.  ALLI welcomed them with open arms.  “You can feel the sense of community here,” they said.  “Coming out is a life-long decision, and walking into a room full of individuals who have already had their own journeys is a great thing.  ALLI provides them a feeling of comfort, of belonging.  There is an instant connection and a new friend group to be found at each program.”

The students in the Ceramics Department are thrilled that ALLI provides this learning experience where they are connected, welcomed and encouraged.  For four months during our flood reconstruction last fall, they anticipated returning.  They did not want to lose their skills, and ultimately, just longed for the friendships created with their classmates.

Says Ryan (he/him), “You don’t realize what you have until you’ve lost it.”  At ALLI, he has the space to be creative, the space to be around other creative people.  “I love seeing how people from all walks of life come together to motivate each other.”  Being back in the building is bringing him a great sense of joy.  “It’s like being back home.”

Says Amanda, (she/her) “The community at ALLI is something I didn’t know that I needed.  And it was being built around me every day.  It’s always nice to engage with other people in the class, to help one another, and to get new inspiration.”  When we temporarily closed, Amanda practiced her skills by enrolling at another studio, but she acknowledges it wasn’t the same.  “I missed the community and other students from classes and open studios.”

Their sentiments cross over to every studio and student at ALLI.  You feel it when you walk in through the door, whether it’s your first Figure Anatomy class or your third Advanced Watercolor Workshop.  It’s home.  And we want it to be your home for another 70 years.

The Vision – Our vision is to attract, inspire, teach and awaken the hearts and minds of all who long to immerse themselves in a community where art is a fundamental part of life. To fulfill the vision, we must continue to renew and refresh our programs and exhibitions, and most importantly, continue to build a stronger philanthropic community.

We want nothing more than to be the viable organization the Art League of Long Island deserves to be; one where the community of welcoming artists motivate and challenge each other.  One where by providing a safe space to all of Long Island’s artists, we provide a comfortable community without any pressure, pre-qualifications or judgment.

Says Kiera (she/her), “Whether you are creating for yourself or for the public, there is space for you here.  There is so much vulnerability in creation.  And this is a special place where people can come together no matter how experienced, welcomed with open arms to be as vulnerable as they need to be to create what’s inside of them.”

You make it happen.  Support ALLI this year, ensure we are able to provide this space for future artists for another 70 years.  After all, if you don’t support ALLI, who will?

Warmest regards for a happy and healthy holiday season,

Marianne Della Croce

Executive Director