ACE

Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy

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Exciting Changes Ahead at ACE!

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In addition to launching the CapNY brand project this week, ACE is building an exciting, new future. Here’s a short list of what’s in store, with much more to come:

Gabby Fisher
  • Gabby Fisher is now the Associate Director of ACE! Gabby has led ACE’s newsletter and social media content since 2020, and was the phenomenal Senior Producer of the CapNY initiative. Gabby brings a Millennial, entrepreneurial, homegrown (born-and-raised here) perspective to ACE, as we envision an exciting, new path.
  • ACE will have a limited relationship with the CapNY branding initiative, which will remain at CEG. Gabby will lead the development of the CapNY newsletter and local social media content. You’ll also see monthly Creative Economy articles that will be shared on both ACE and CapNY platforms.
  • ACE has ended its two-year arrangement with the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) and has returned to its home at the Saratoga Institute, a not-for-profit incubator.
  • Updated Creative Economy data will be developed and released in partnership with CEG. This is critically important as the Creative sector begins to rebuild after the devastation of the pandemic. It’s hit us harder than most, and 
ACE Collectiveffort Event

In the months ahead, we’ll be planning events (hooray!!) and gathering your thoughts on how we can all work together to connect, convene, advocate and educate, and create a shared path. We’re SO looking forward to seeing you again and are ridiculously excited for all that’s in store.

#CapNYRedAlert

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There is no doubt that COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on creative industries across the globe.

Simply put, the Capital Region creative industries are a critical sector of our economy and are crucial to our recovery.

Our local creative businesses and organizations bring vibrancy into our region.

These industries, and the creative people who make them come alive, are resilient. We will overcome. It is time to lift each other up — to support ourselves and our institutions in the darkest of times like they support us in our own dark times. Stand up in solidarity. We have an idea on how to do just that…#CapNYRedAlert

How to Participate

  1. Register via the link toward the bottom of this page, to receive information and updates about #CapNYRedAlert.
  2. Show your support and share your story on social media, tagging #CapNYRedAlert.
  3. Buy a red lightbulb. You can purchase them online, here, or at a local hardware store. Please #SupportLocal!
  4. Replace the light bulb in front of your house/business (over your front door, on your porch, etc.) with the red lightbulb and shine it bright! As we head into Daylight Savings Time, the shortened days will add even more hardship to creative businesses struggling to stay afloat, as outdoor dining and performances wind down.
  5. Donate to not-for-profit arts organizations and artist support programs like…

Show Your Support & Spread the Word!

  1. Scroll below to register.
  2. Share your support by posting the #CapNYRedAlert logo on social media. Caption it something along the lines of, “Support our local creative industries #CapNYRedAlert”.
  3. Share stories of your favorite creative businesses and tag them with #CapNYRedAlert
  4. Tag us in your photos, FB: @upstatecreative, IG: @upstatecreative, Twitter: @upnycreative. we would love to share all of the photos and compile them.
  5. Tag your favorite local creative businesses and organizations to let them know they have your support!

Click Here to Register Today!

Read More About How Covid Has Affected the Creative Economy Near and Far

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Upstate Overnights: Catskills Edition

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A Getaway.com Cabin

Historical boutique hotels, tiny homes in the wilderness, campgrounds, creatively curated redesigned homes by fabulously talented locals – we have it all in CapNY, making it the perfect weekend destination. Whether you’re a CapNY resident or just visiting for a few days, these spots are guaranteed to make your mini-vacay super unique and Instagrammable.

Gabby’s Fall Picks

Click on each of the picks for The Low-Down, what Gabby loves about each spot, and details on how to book!

Getaway

Scribner’s Catskill Lodge

Gather Greene

Devil’s Tombstone Campgrounds

Winter Clove Inn & Resort

Longneck Inn

CapNY is a perfect fall getaway destination. You deserve a vacation. Book, enjoy, and relax. Don’t forget to tag us in your photos! We’d love to share. @UpstateCreative

Gabby Fisher is an avid CapNY ambassador, travel lover, & foodie. She is ACE’s Digital Media Manager and the Founder of co-mads, a consulting company that curates travel and volunteer experiences; along with providing marketing, event, and content creation services to organizations whose missions align. She’s a Co-Founder of Flips Resale and does freelance consulting work with forward-thinking organizations.

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Getaway: Upstate Overnights

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Yes, every one of their tiny homes has a window like this!

The Low-Down

Getaway is a modern cabin rental service that’s facilitated completely online. You can find their tiny homes all over the country, deep in the woods. They sleep up to four people and are dog-friendly! Aside from the basics, the homes include a kitchen, snacks, a firepit with fire starting materials, and a little library.

What Gabby Loves About This Place

Not only does the idea of renting a modern tiny home in a naturesque bubble in the Catskills sound like a lovely adventure, but I love what they’re all about. Getaway encourages their guests to completely unplug from the everyday hustle, to spend the time connecting with loved ones (or yourself, if you’re a solo traveler like me), and to simply enjoy the beauty of nature. Oh, and another perk of booking a stay with them…they will make a donation to Feed America on your behalf!

The Details

How it works: book your stay, get an email and text with your cabin address, name and key code, and enjoy. Simple as that! Curious about the price? I’ve seen these homes range from $179-$299 a night. IMPORTANT!!! Book fast. The Catskill homes are booked through the end of September, so don’t wait to reserve your fall getaway!

IG / FB / Website

CapNY is a perfect fall getaway destination. You deserve a vacation. Book, enjoy, and relax. Don’t forget to tag us in your photos! We’d love to share. @UpstateCreative

10+ things to do in Catskill with Lumberyard’s Niva Dorell

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Niva Dorell, Catskill resident and Box Office and Marketing Manager for Lumberyard Center for Film and Performing Arts recommends her favorite things to do around the village.

If you have a day to spend in the wonderful Village of Catskill, here are some recommendations for how to spend your time:

1. Start off by grabbing a coffee and pastry at HiLo on Main Street. Be sure to check out the art in the gallery and the faces of the people around you. Chances are you’ll see one or two of them later in the day.

2. Take your coffee to go and check out the beautiful pocket parks on Main Street, or walk down to the Creek and take in the views. There’s a nice walking path along Water Street that loops across the red bridge, to West Main Street, to the Uncle Sam bridge and back up to Main Street.
3. Now that your blood is moving and you’re caffeinated, it’s time to do some shopping. Catskill has lots of fun quirky stores! A few musts: Magpie Bookshop, wonderful used books at low cost and Kristi, the owner, knows Catskill very well; Solo Vino for a bottle of delicious organic wine; Sister Salvage for some irreverent vintage; Spike’s Record Rack for some classic vinyl to add to your collection; and a homemade scented candle at Village Common. And that’s just one side of Main Street. Definitely browse the other side too.
4. Have kids? Stop by The Rodney Shop, Shoofly and Kirwan’s Game Store, an epic game store and guaranteed hit with your X-box loving teens.
5. For a mid-day snack, grab some Jane’s Ice Cream at Bittersweet, a fresh smoothie at The Juice Branch on West Bridge Street, or a yummy sandwich at Winkles on West Bridge Street or Circle W on Main Street.
6. If you have time for entertainment and more art, take a tour of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site on Spring Street, see the current exhibition at CREATE (our regional Arts Council), catch a matinee movie at The Community Theater, or an evening performance at Bridge Street Theater or LUMBERYARD on Water Street.
7. When you’re ready to sit down and relax, walk up to Subversive Malting & Brewing for a beer and sit in the comfy couches that face Main Street. If the kids get antsy, you can grab a slice of pizza next door at Village Pizza II and bring it back into Subversive. Another great beer spot is Crossroads Brewery Tap Room on Water Street.
8. At dinner time, some good choices are La Conca D’oro (a few doors up from Subversive) for Italian, Avalon Lounge for Korean (the wings are to die for), Mediterranean Bistro for falafels and hummus, Wasana for Thai, New York Restaurant for Polish/American. There’s also Radici on Water Street for Italian but hit the ATM first because they’re cash only.
9. If you want some live music, head back to Avalon Lounge to check out a great band, and dance the night away with the DJ that follows.
10.  End your night with a nightcap where you started, at HiLo. Their cocktail selections will make you smile and send you home feeling warm. Plus, by now you’ve met half the Village, so you’ll see some familiar faces.

Creative Economy Updates and Other Good Stuff!

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