About LIAA

ABOUT

Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) connects, strengthens, and champions Long Island’s arts and cultural sector. Through advocacy, professional development, research, and youth recognition, we serve as a hub for collaboration and visibility across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. We amplify the role of the arts as a driver of economic growth, education, and community wellbeing. LIAA builds sector-wide capacity, drives public investment, and provides platforms that elevate artistic excellence. Our work supports a thriving cultural ecosystem where every organization, artist, and student has the tools and opportunity to succeed.

MISSION

Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) is an alliance of and for the region’s not-for-profit arts, cultural and arts education organizations. LIAA promotes awareness of and participation in Long Island’s world-class arts and cultural institutions. Formed in 2003, LIAA offers leadership and diverse support services to arts organizations, serves as an advocate for arts education in our schools and collaborates on strategies for economic development and community revitalization.

HISTORY

KEY FORMATION DATES:

2002: The Long Island Association, the region’s largest business and civic organization, asked prominent community leaders to examine Long Island’s assets, growth opportunities and challenges, which planted the seeds for LIAA
2003: LIAA is founded
2004: LIAA receives its 501(c)3 status in New York State.

Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) is a membership organization which promotes awareness of and participation in Long Islands arts and cultural institutions along with other regional not for profit arts and arts education organizations. The organization provides support services to member organizations, advocates for arts education in local schools and collaborates on strategies for economic development and community revitalization.

Our institutional vision is a vibrant and representative Long Island through empowered artists and arts and culture organizations. Our programming, efforts, and focus are defined by that vision. LIAA's strategic goals are centered around accessibility, regional collaboration, increasing capacity of the sector as well as strengthening the organization from within. We recognize the importance of reflecting the current needs and demographics of our region, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our initiatives and services align with these principles.

In 2002, the Long Island Association asked prominent community leaders to participate in an examination of the region’s assets, growth opportunities, and challenges. Regent Roger Tilles assembled the heads of Long Island’s not-for-profit arts institutions to report to the Association’s Goals Conference as Chair of its Arts and Culture Committee. Anticipating projects beyond the scope of this committee’s charge, Regent Tilles suggested the creation of an Island- wide Arts Alliance. LIAA was born, and it now boasts a membership of over 100 arts and culture organizations, including Long Island’s universities. Our membership base is comprised of traditional nonprofit arts and culture organizations, municipally-owned/operated institutions, incorporated community arts and culture programs, living collections, historical and heritage societies, private arts councils, and municipal arts agencies.

With the support of our member organizations, the Long Island Arts Alliance is able to make a significant impact in the arts community. By fostering partnerships and collaborations, we strengthen the collective voice of the arts and advocate for its importance in our society.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Diversity fuels creativity.

Creativity fuels the arts.

LIAA embraces diversity in everything we do because diverse perspectives, diverse influences, and diverse audiences help our community thrive. By including Long Island’s wonderful panoply of cultures, races, generations, and orientations in the arts, we enrich everyone’s lives.