2023 Erie County Budget Advocacy Workshop
In response to the release of the proposed 2023 Erie County budget, ASI Executive Director Jen Swan-Kilpatrick, with guest speaker Erie County Legislator Joseph Lorigo, will present information on next steps for successful advocacy to the Erie County arts organizations that were recommended for funding by the County Executive.
Monday, October 24th 2022
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
VIRTUAL EVENT
As the leader of arts advocacy in Erie County, Arts Services Inc. offers this advocacy workshop to all arts and cultural organizations within the county in response the release of the proposed 2023 county budget. The workshop will be a walkthrough of the important events and dates that will occur before the final version of the budget is adopted. ASI will also provide advocacy tips for organizations seeking new or additional funding as well as tips for speaking at the public budget hearing. This workshop is considered essential for all new or first-time applicants who have applied for Erie County funding.
Meet the Presenters
Jen Swan-Kilpatrick is the Executive Director of Arts Services Inc. (ASI). In this position she leads this regional organization through
Financial and Budget Operations;
Board Governance;
Programmatic and General Administration;
Fundraising and Development; and
Staff and Intern Management.
Since Ms. Swan-Kilpatrick’s leadership, ASI has demonstrated that it is the center of “Where the Arts Meet Business”.
Prior to this position she served as the Associate Director of ASI for 7 years, including managing multiple grant-giving programs awarding over $500,000 to over 300 recipients in the arts and cultural community. Ms. Swan has been in the field of nonprofit arts management for over 15 years and has been supportive of thriving arts and culturals through her community-minded focus and involvement in grassroots production.
She provides direct leadership to partner networks including the Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance (GBCA), Cultural Alliance of Niagara (CAN) as their Secretary, the Arts Partners for Learning (APL) Leadership Team, Vice President (& Governance Committee Chair) of ArtsNYS, and BoardStrong’s WNY Advisory Council. In addition to ASI work, Ms. Swan is a news wire writer for the Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ), a Member of the Leadership Niagara Class of 2016, an Adjunct Professor at Daemen College and for the University at Buffalo’s Arts Management Program, Board Member for Hope for Cats, Finance Committee Member for Grassroots Gardens, and Alumni Ambassador, College of Arts and Sciences at the University at Buffalo.
Legislator Joseph Lorigo served as Majority Leader of the Erie County Legislature from 2014-2017. A member of the Conservative Party, he successfully ran for election in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. He is honored to represent the 10th District, including the Towns of Aurora, Colden, Elma, Holland, Marilla, Wales, West Seneca and the Village of East Aurora.
He served as Chairman of the Finance and Management Committee and Economic Development Committee, and was Vice Chair of Energy & Environment.
He is a former Board Member for the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Albright-Knox Art Gallery Board of Directors, and the Cornell Cooperative Ext. Board of Directors.
Legislator Lorigo is an attorney with the Law Office of Ralph C. Lorigo. He has worked previously in the Erie County Attorney’s Office and New York State Attorney General’s Office, as well as the West Seneca Town Court as warrant clerk.
An alumni of St. Francis High School, he attended Canisius College and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in psychology. Legislator Lorigo earned both his law degree and master’s in Business Administration from the University at Buffalo. While attending UB, he was a recipient of the Robert J. Connelly Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy.
Legislator Lorigo is involved in several professional organizations, including the Erie County Bar Association and UB Law Alumni Association. Additionally, his philanthropic involvement includes the Charles Burchfield Nature & Arts Center, Erie County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and was the attorney coach of the St. Francis High School Mock Trial Team for several years.
The Vigilant Fire Company named Legislator Lorigo as Citizen of the Year for 2013.
