LongHouse Reserve

LONGHOUSE RESERVE AWARDED $46,756.50 GRANT FROM THE

ROBERT DAVID LION GARDINER FOUNDATION FOR OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITS

LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton has been awarded a $46,756.50 grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. The purpose of the grant is to allow LongHouse to expand its reach into the Eastern Long Island community and beyond with outstanding and affordable cultural and historical experiences. These community outreach efforts center on the undeserved members of the local towns of the East End, primarily the immigrant population and their children. The grant directly assists in defraying rising costs in LongHouse’s Public Art in the Gardens Program, including costs associated with art acquisition, installation, marketing and outreach. 

LongHouse’s Executive Director, Matko Tomicic, says, “A grant from the Gardiner Foundation is a vote of confidence in LongHouse Reserve’s mission to illuminate the unique natural setting and artistic environment that has nurtured and inspired world renowned artists. It is a distinctive cultural designation for the region, nation and the world.”

Public Art in the Gardens is LongHouse Reserve’s year-long exhibition, the cornerstone of the art, garden and educational initiatives. It is open to the public in April and runs through December 2019. Each year, some of the art in the permanent collection is moved to different locations in the garden, providing a fresh perspective and renewed enjoyment to visitors. New art on loan from museums, galleries, artists and collectors is placed throughout the garden. Most of the art is in place for the Rites of Spring Season Opener in April. The placement and installation of the sculpture, often massive in size, is one of LongHouse’s biggest tasks and challenges. 

LongHouse strives to offer the local community programming at little or no cost. Year round programs that benefit from the grant include Rites of Spring, the LongHouse season opener; Family Day, a large community outreach event; Educational Programming, in which over 3,000 schoolchildren visit LongHouse Reserve annually with teachers free of charge; the Student Annual, an art competition that is open to kindergarten through 12th grade students throughout Long Island; Hand in Hand Treasure Hunt, an activity that drives growth of children visiting LongHouse; Garden Programming, or tours of the gardens, and Collaborative Relationships, such as partnerships with other cultural institutions. 

LongHouse uses its website, newsletter, and email marketing to reach its target population. The vibrant social media presence keeps visitors updated on happenings, events, and education programs. LongHouse reaches out to the undeserved members of the community with informal talks, flyers (printed in English and Spanish) and complimentary guest passes to be used during open days. LongHouse has formed an alliance with an English as a Second Language class and offers students and families complimentary bilingual tours. More than half the children who visit LongHouse are from Hispanic and African American households. Outreach events are added to all local media calendars and are featured in newspapers such as The East Hampton Star, The Independent, East Hampton Press, and Newsday. 

About The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation

The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, established in 1987, primarily supports the study of New York State history. Robert David Lion Gardiner was, until his death in August 2004, the 16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner’s Island, NY. The Gardiner family and their descendants have owned Gardiner’s Island since 1639, obtained as part of a royal grant from King Charles I of England. The Foundation is inspired by Robert David Lion Gardiner’s personal passion for New York history.

About LongHouse Reserve 

Long House Reserve in East Hampton, NY exemplifies living with art in all forms. Its collections, gardens, sculpture and programs reflect world cultures and inspire creative life. LongHouse Reserve was founded by Jack Lenor Larsen, internationally known textile designer, author and collector. His home, LongHouse, was built as a case study to exemplify a creative approach to contemporary life. Mr. Larsen believes visitors experiencing art in living spaces have a unique learning experience – more meaningful than the best media.

LongHouse Reserve
133 Hands Creek Road
East Hampton, NY  11937
info@longhouse.org
www.longhouse.org