Mission Statement
The Tioga County Council on the Arts is a nonprofit arts service organization serving as the umbrella organization for the Arts in Tioga County.
Mission statement: The Tioga County Council on the Arts shall encourage and promote the arts as a means of enriching the cultural lives of Tioga County residents and surrounding areas. The Arts Council shall initiate diverse programs and opportunities for exposure of county artists and craftspersons. The goal of the Tioga County Council on the Arts shall be to make the arts accessible to everyone.
A History of the Tioga County Council on the Arts
The initial concept for an arts organization in Tioga County began in 1972 with a small group who saw the need to expose a growing community to the arts. At this time, the Tioga Theatre was on the market. It seemed ideal to incorporate an arts council and a performing arts center. However, efforts to purchase the theatre failed. Amazingly, the idea of an arts organization took hold, and in 1976, with the help of a $500 grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), the Tioga County Council on the Arts was born. The Arts Council was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1978.
The young organization flourished in gratis church offices and back rooms, engaging the interest of the community. The works of local artists were placed in local businesses. “Concerts in the Park” was started with the help of the Town of Owego. The "FOCUS" newsletter was published to promote cultural events.
In 1986, TCCA moved from the Chamber of Commerce to 72 North Avenue, Owego. The Council stayed at this location until May of 1996, moving then to 181 Front Street, Owego. Two years later, the “Old Owego Bank Building” became available. With the help of local grants, the Tioga County Council on the Arts purchased its first permanent home where ArtSpace Gallery and TCCA offices are currently located 179 Front Street, Owego, NY.
The Council is governed by a Board of Directors who meet once a month and employs a full time director and part time office staff. The council depends on over 200 volunteers to help and support ongoing events and programs.
The Council also maintains a gallery “ArtSpace Gallery” and satellite galleries in the village of Owego. Services provided include: assistance with grant opportunities for artists, website availabilities, galleries for exhibits, art classes, the FOCUS newsletter, and much more.
The Arts Council provides community support in partnership with numerous organizations which include Tioga County Tourism, Owego Elks Lodge #1039, the Town of Owego, the Tioga County Historical Society Museum, the United Way and the Historic Owego Market Place.
Listed below are the many worthwhile programs offered by the Tioga County Council on the Arts throughout the year.
TCCA ANNUAL EVENTS
VISUAL ARTS
Galleries
ArtSpace Gallery
179 Front St., Owego, NY
(607) 687-0785
Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5
Town of Owego
Route 434, Owego, NY
(607) 687-0785
En Plein Air Art Show and Sale
MUSIC
Concerts in the Park
Hickories Park, Owego, NY - July
Presented by The Tioga County Council on the Arts and funded by The Town of Owego.
Contact the Tioga County Council on the Arts for more information at 607-687-0785.
Wednesday evenings in July from 7:00 - 9:00pm
Kids Night Out
Free entertainment for the kids at the Courthouse Square gazebo. Held three Fridays in July from 7:00 - 8:00pm. Bring a smile and a blanket or chair. Guaranteed to be a good time for the whole family! For more information, contact the Tioga County Council on the Arts at 607-687-0785.
Master Series Concerts
Fall/Winter
The Master Series is one of the Arts Council's largest musical series. Each event is held at the Owego Apalachin Middle School, Harold Newcomb Auditorium, with a small fee charged for admission. The Master Series is made possible, in part, by funding from the Cooper Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency.
Always on Sunday
Winter/Spring
On the third Sunday of the month, from January through April, concerts are held at the Owego First Presbyterian Union Church (corner of Temple St. and North Ave.) from 3:00 - 4:30 pm. This series is one of our favorites and is made possible by, Ted and Pat Ronsvalle, The Cooper Foundation, and the Tioga County Senior Citizens Foundation. These concerts are free but donations are appreciated.
OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS
Annual Home Tour & Auction
This popular event is held each year on the first Saturday of December. Save the date!! We’d love to have you join us for the Home Tour and Auction. Spend a fun-filled and educational afternoon or evening touring beautiful and historic homes in downtown Owego. Two self-guided tours are offered; an afternoon tour from 1:00 - 4:00pm and an evening tour at 6:00pm. Following the evening tour, an auction of donated artwork, merchandise, services, and collectibles is held at the Elk's Lodge in Owego.
Reservations are requested and may be made by mail or by stopping by the Tioga County Council on the Arts office, 179 Front Street, Owego. Interested in donating to one of the Arts Council’s biggest fundraising events? Contact us at 687-0785.
Folk Art Series
Held four to five times a year in and around the county, this series is both informative and fun!
Contact the Tioga County Council on the Arts for more information at 607-687-0785
Check the TCCA events page for show listings, dates, and times.
Arts Council Staff:
Executive Director: Abbey Hendrickson
Administrative Assistant: Don VanScoy
Membership Coordinator: Evan Williams
