28 Jan. 2026
News Release
KinoSaito and Two Affiliated Artists Awarded Grants by the New York State Council on the Arts
Verplanck, NY (January 2026) — KinoSaito announced today a grant award totaling $10,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the arts and culture sector. The grant will go towards KinoSaito’s 2026 programming, including exhibitions, public events and workshops.
Additionally, Juliana Cerqueira Leite and Naama Tsabar received Support for Artists grants from NYSCA to support their creative work. Sponsored by KinoSaito, Leite’s award will fund Manual Labor, a solo exhibition and new body of work in sculpture, drawing, and 16mm film. This exhibition will be presented in institutions in Brazil and New York State. Tsabar’s award will fund Untitled (Double Face) Iteration 2, a sculpture in which a left-handed and a right-handed electric guitar are fused together at their back. The work is both a mirrored sculpture and a new instrument that has no back and is meant to be played by two people. Both works are planned to be shown at KinoSaito.
Juliana Cerqueira Leite, Labor, 2024, 16mm color reversal film still, 9' 22''. Original score by Nik Colk Void. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Naama Tsabar, Untitled (Double Face), Image from the first performance iteration on sculpture work. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded $80.9 million in FY 2026 to arts and culture nonprofits across all 10 regions and a historic number of artists.
“New York’s arts and culture sector is a cornerstone of the state’s identity, and we’re making bold investments to ensure it remains strong,” Governor Hochul said. “These grants will lift up artists and organizations in every region, fueling local economies and expanding access to the arts. Congratulations to all the grantees – your talent and dedication help power New York’s future.”
New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Erika Mallin said, “During these challenging times, the New York State Council on the Arts has been a stalwart and innovative funder. These grants will serve artists and organizations in every region and county, fueling our economy and serving our communities. We know this support isn’t just an investment in the arts; it’s an investment in New York’s future. Congratulations to KinoSaito [and to all our FY2026 grantees] and thank you for your perseverance, your creativity, and your tireless service to New York State.”
New York State Council on the Arts Chair Patrick Willingham said, “With the unwavering support of Governor Hochul and our Legislature, the Council is proud to congratulate this year’s grantees, whose collective efforts strengthen and benefit us all. I also want to recognize the work of NYSCA’s panelists, staff, and the entire Council, whose dedication has ensured that this critical support will reach every corner of New York State.”
About the New York State Council on the Arts
The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award over $161 million in FY 2026, serving organizations and artists across all 10 state regions. The Council on the Arts further advances New York’s creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources.
Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA’s Facebook page, on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.
About KinoSaito
KinoSaito is a nonprofit center founded in 2018 and dedicated to the creation of abstract art. We are committed to nurturing art experimentation across all mediums and perpetuating the legacy of our founding muse and Japanese-American artist, Kikuo Saito (1939-2016). The center opened in 2021 upon renovation of its St. Patrick’s Catholic School located in Verplanck, NY. Since opening our doors, we have served an intergenerational audience of 3,500 annually.
For more information, contact the Interim Director, Holly Hobart, at 914-293-7468 or holly@kinosaito.org.