Letter: Islip Art Museum is a treasure
The Islip Art Museum hosts an exhibit May 9, 2012 in East Islip about the .Entrepreneur J.H. Doxsee who was a farmer with 500 acres on the south shore in Islip in the mid 1800s. Credit: Photo by John Roca
As an artist and resident of Suffolk County, I am disgusted by the Town of Islip's decision to consider relocating the Islip Art Museum from its home at Brookwood Hall ["Museum move proposed," News, June 18].
Many studies attest to the positive impact of the arts in the community. The arts and culture bring communities together, bring jobs and a domino effect of economic impact. The arts and culture help children gain self-confidence, teach them understanding, and introduce them to cross-cultural awareness and communication skills.
Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit organization, recently released its fourth economic impact study, showing that the industry nationally generated $135.2 billion of economic activity: $61.1 billion by nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and $74.1 billion in event-related expenditures by their audiences. This activity supports 4.13 million full-time jobs.
The Islip Art Museum is a gem that is nationally and internationally known. Through this decision the Town of Islip would be essentially throwing out its successful, well-established arts and culture place-maker to create more offices and storage.
The art museum is one of the reasons I chose to stay put on Long Island. It's one of the benefits that make the higher cost of living and higher taxes worth staying for.
Jessica McAvoy, Patchogue