GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CASE STUDY

Storm King Art Center

CLIENT BACKGROUND

Understand The Need

Established in 1960, Storm King Art Center is a 500-acre outdoor museum located in New York’s Hudson Valley, where visitors experience large-scale sculpture and site-specific commissions under an open sky.

The DHC Government Relations team helps Storm King pursue funding at the state and federal levels of government; to increase engagement with this important group of stakeholders.

ISSUES & CHALLENGES

working with NYS Council of the Arts Capital Fund Project, NYS Senate, Assembly & Governor's Office

The Covid-19 Pandemic Pricing Dilemma

Storm King was seeking to add critical State funding to help its $60 million expansion. Although they had an active fundraising goal, the Covid-19 pandemic pushed construction costs well above budgeted levels.

Pursuing New Avenues

Although Storm King is a popular destination, it had not previously engaged New York State’s Government.

“We are thrilled to break ground on Storm King's first-ever capital project. We embarked on this project with a commitment to enhance and sustain the extraordinary experience of art and nature that Storm King offers its visitors, artists, and community.

New York State's support, through the NYSCA, ESD, and NYSERDA grants, is essential in reaching today's exciting milestone. I'm grateful for their partnership, which will allow us to share Storm King's extraordinary site and collection with future generations”

John P. Stern, President, Storm King art Center

SOLUTIONS

Developing a Plan

01

Making Connections

DHC’s Albany government relations team introduced Storm King to the Governor’s Office, various State Agencies and the relevant State Senators and Assembly Members.

02

Building Momentum

DHC held in person meetings with various elected and appointed officials.

03

Achieving The Goal

DHC helped Storm King educate various governmental officials as to the economic and social impact the expansion would have on the Orange County region and the State.

RESULTS

What We achieved

1. DHC Government Relations team was able to secure a $7.5M grant from Gov. Hohcul’s $90.5M investment in funding for large-scale capital projects at 19 arts and cultural organizations across NY State through the NYS Council of the Arts Capital Projects Fund.

2. Storm King was able to break ground to enhance the visitor experience through the construction of two new building elements; the Welcome Sequence and the Conservation, Fabrication and Maintenance Building.

3. The Welcome Sequence will help simplify visitors' arrival by doubling parking capacity, reducing traffic, and adding new facilities to accommodate guest arrivals and tour groups. The Conservation, Fabrication, and Maintenance Building will be Storm King's first-ever purpose-built space, allowing them to work with artists on fabrication, better care for their collection by conserving important artworks onsite, and provide staff with safe, well-equipped facilities.

4. The new facility will also prioritize sustainability with all-electric buildings and LEED Gold Certification for the Welcome Sequence, reinforcing Storm King's long history of land preservation and environmental education.

Looking for Assistance and solid results?

All year-long our Government Relations team works closely with museum clients like Storm King Art Center to educate various government officials, secure funding, and much more. For more information reach out to us today!