~ Art Matters Here Since 1963 ~

About the Putnam Arts Council

The Putnam Arts Council (PAC) is a not-for-profit arts service organization chartered in 1963 by the State of New York. PAC is the voice for the arts in Putnam County, and maintains a leadership role in promoting, fostering, and perpetuating the visual, performing and literary arts in the county and environs. Our programs include exhibitions, Art in Public Places, workshops in the visual and performing arts, a summer arts program, concerts, theatre performances, advocacy, technical assistance workshops, studio tours and special events.

As a county-wide arts service agency, the Putnam Arts Council extends its programming to reach constituents where they live and work, and to provide support for the creative development of artists, students, and cultural organizations.

Our space at the Belle Levine Art Center, 521 Kennicut Hill Road in Mahopac New York was a turn-of-the-century barn, once the studio of cartoonist Bud Fisher who created “Mutt and Jeff”, the first syndicated cartoon for the Chicago Tribune. Many upgrades and modifications have been made in recent years affording a more comfortable and compliant space. All of our programs and services are currently offered at our Mahopac site which includes our offices, gallery space, work space, class space, a pottery studio and a printmaking studio. For directions click HERE.

The Putnam Arts Council is supported with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor’s office and the NYS Legislature. We also receive public support from Putnam County Government as one of its outside agencies, providing and encouraging cultural programs and services at our site as well as throughout the county. PAC generates earned revenue through membership, programs, fundraising efforts, sales and sponsorships and receives contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations throughout the region.

Who We Are

2026 Board of Trustees

Executive Committee: Carlos Passi, Chairperson, Alex Lindquist, Secretary

Members at Large: Charles Albertario, Michael Dignelli, Nancy Faulds, Therese Fokine, Tina Franzetti, James T. Meyer

Honarary Board Members: Kazumi Futagawa, Helen Senko, Dawn Willis

Staff

Joyce Picone: Executive Director: joyce@putnamartscouncil.com
Mary Beth Becker: Regrants Coordinator: grants@putnamartscouncil.com

Educators

Charlotte Berwind , Karen Jaimes, Terry Fokine, Charlotte Holden, Maria Kaprielian, Liz Pezzulo, Tooraj Pourmand, Richard Seney, Melissa Rossow, Heidi Stein, Paul Kmiotek, Rosalie Marcus, James Sparks, Monica Robinson, Zhané Lambert

Access instructor bios here

Volunteers

PAC is always interested in discussing volunteer opportunities and values the help that volunteers provide. A variety of options exist including gallery sitting, administrative tasks and landscape work.