Infinity among 40 organizations selected for grant
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Infinity Visual and Performing Arts has received a With Youth For Youth grant, selected by young people through the WNY WYFY youth-led grantmaking process.
The WYFY Youth Advisory Board directed more than $2 million in With Youth For Youth grants to 40 out-of-school time and youth sports programs across the nine-county Western New York region. The 24-member WYFY Youth Advisory Board of young people ages 13-17 designed the process, reviewed applications and selected recipients.
The With Youth For Youth grant will allow Infinity to build on that tradition by expanding its After School Creators program, and increasing the number of group classes, workshops, student community nights, leadership opportunities, performance experiences, and student-planned field trips.
As part of the initiative, Infinity's Teen Advisory Committee will work alongside Infinity staff and teaching artists to provide feedback on future classes, workshops, field trip destinations and student activities. While Infinity’s core programming staff will oversee implementation, the committee will help ensure new opportunities reflect student interests and ideas while continuing the organization’s long-standing commitment to listening to the young people it serves.
“This award is especially meaningful because it reflects the confidence that young people from all across Western New York have placed in Infinity and the work we do every day,” said Shane Hawkins, executive director of Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, Inc. “Our mission has always been to create opportunities where young people can grow, learn, and lead through the arts. This grant allows us to expand those opportunities while giving our own students an even stronger voice in shaping the experiences they want to see at Infinity. We’re so excited to bring these new ideas to life together.”
Each year, 350 students participate in Infinity’s on-site programming, receiving more than 12,000 private lessons and more than 4,200 hours of group instruction. Infinity also serves 1,100 additional youth annually through school and community partnerships while providing nearly $40,000 in need-based scholarships.
Registration is currently open for the 2026-27 program year.Infinity will host Infini-Con, a free community open house and mini convention event, on Friday, Aug. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. The event will feature facility tours, cosplay, opportunities to meet instructors, hands-on creative activities and information about the wide variety of music, visual arts, dance, theater, and performance opportunities available throughout the upcoming year.
“The most impactful ideas often come directly from the young people we serve,” Hawkins said. “This investment gives us the opportunity to listen even more intentionally, create even more collaboratively, and continue building a place where every student knows their voice matters and feels ownership and belonging within our Infinity community.”
For more information about Infinity, visit www.infinityperformingarts.org.