Long Island's First Island-Wide Multi-Venue Arts Festival, ARTS ALIVE LI, Debuts This October

The arts are alive on Long Island -- and Arts Alive LI, a new island-wide multi-venue arts festival debuting October 2012, showcases Long Island's world-class arts and culture. Arts Alive LI, presented by the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) and Bethpage Federal Credit Union with additional support from Long Island Community Foundation, will celebrate existing arts and culture events, as well as newly developed events, scheduled to occur during the National Arts and Humanities month of October and share them on the newly designed ArtsAliveLI.org website.

Throughout the festival month, Long Islanders and visitors alike will have opportunities to experience some of the greatest artists and performers of our time, many of whom have called Long Island home, including Patti LuPone, Jane Monheit, Jackson Pollock, Emerson String Quartet and Blue Öyster Cult. Regional Arts Councils are collaborating to create an entire month of programs, tours and events including the South Shore Arts Tour and Maritime Heritage of the North Fork. Communities are planning the year's most outstanding food and street festivals featuring performing and visual artists representative of the cultural diversity of Long Island. Many events will take place simultaneously so that, from Nassau to the tips of Suffolk's east end, the entire region will be engaged in celebrating the arts.

"Arts Alive LI has something for everyone," said Theresa Statz-Smith, Executive Director, Long Island Arts Alliance. "I truly believe that thousands will discover, as they journey to exhibition spaces, museums, theaters, historic venues, festivals and other gathering places, why Long Island is one of the strongest cultural destinations in the country."

"Bridging all of the Arts on Long Island over the course of a month is another great way to showcase Long Island as a wonderful place to live, work and play," said Kirk Kordeleski, President & CEO Bethpage Federal Credit Union. "Many Long Islanders venture to New York City for cultural events and don't realize there are many great venues right here that are family friendly and affordable, which is why we are proud to present Arts Alive LI."

Exclusive "Signature Series" Events are being planned throughout October and they will be prominently displayed both on the ArtsAliveLI.org website and in promotional materials. These events will offer added benefits to audiences such as artist receptions featuring local cuisine, discounts at partnering restaurants and free programs for families, etc.

WNET New York Public Media will also assist as a festival Media Partner. WNET President & CEO, Neal Shapiro, states, "WNET is proud to bring the best cultural and performing arts into the homes of our community through Thirteen, WLIW21 and our related websites. Long Island has a rich artistic heritage and we're honored to be a media partner for the Arts Alive LI festival and to be included as participants."

"This region-wide arts and culture effort is an excellent forum for getting arts groups to work together, share resources, and attract more visitors, all while redefining Long Island as a diverse cultural destination," said Long Island Community Foundation's Executive Director, David Okorn. "We're really excited about this collaboration and expect great results for Long Island."

As Arts Alive LI will encompass events spread across the island from Nassau County to the East End, the MTA Long Island Rail Road, assisting with transportation and exposure, has created packages to encourage visitors from outside our region to hop aboard and join us. For more information or to sponsor Arts Alive LI, please contact artfestli2012@gmail.com.

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