Huntington Arts Council Selected For Statewide Mural Initiative

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. — The Huntington Arts Council has been selected as one of 11 community partners across New York State to participate in the first round of Governor Kathy Hochul's Cultivating Havens for the Arts through Regional Murals, or CHARM, program.

The initiative, administered by the New York State Council on the Arts, will support the creation of 56 new murals across 21 counties, including three others on Long Island — Southold, Bay Shore, and Huntington.

Governor Hochul said the CHARM program aims to reimagine public spaces and strengthen civic pride through community-driven artwork.

"Public art inspires and educates — it strengthens our civic pride and brings us together," Hochul said. "By supporting our innovative creative sector to work with communities all across the state, CHARM will reimagine everyday public spaces as vibrant destinations for visitors and residents alike."

The first phase of CHARM is supported by $1 million in state funding from the FY25 enacted budget. Murals will feature designs ranging from portraits and scenic depictions to abstract patterns and expressions of community identity. All projects are expected to be completed by November 2025.
Other regional partners include the Patchogue Arts Council, which will oversee three murals in Patchogue, and arts organizations in Albany, Ithaca, Rochester, Lake Placid, and other areas statewide.

NYSCA Executive Director Erika Mallin said the program will help strengthen communities while supporting artists across New York.

"Through this work, we will create magnetic destinations that energize communities, attract visitors, and foster connections," Mallin said.

The New York State Council on the Arts, established in 1960, supports the state's creative economy and will award more than $161 million in grants in fiscal year 2026.