Long Island Arts Council at Freeport
Laurence Dresner
Executive Director
Since 1974, the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport (LIACF) has been serving the Island’s arts community in accordance with its primary mission: touching the minds and enriching the souls of individuals and communities through advocacy and education. To that end, LIACF provides a number of programs and services in support of the visual and performing arts, with a special focus on schools.
Through its Musical Instrument Marketplace, the council donates instruments to school music programs in underserved communities. The council also holds the Juried Photography Show, and art classes for young people, as well as youth art exhibits. The LIACF Jane Fenyo Memorial Arts Scholarship helps high school seniors to further their arts education.
The council’s Access to the Arts program enables students throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties to experience the arts at a greatly reduced price. By purchasing an Access card at minimal cost, students gain reduced admission to a number of cultural venues throughout Long Island, an expense that is beyond the financial means of many students. Among the numerous organizations participating in this invaluable program are Nassau County Museum of Art, Cinema Arts Center, Malverne Community Theatre, Heckscher Museum of Art, Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, and the Landmark on Main Street community arts center.
“This is an exciting and much-needed program that allows students to attend Honorees museums, concerts, art exhibits and live theatre for a fraction of the price,” said Laurence Dresner, Executive Director of the LIACF. “They can explore the splendor of the arts to find their passion. It empowers students to take a risk by seeing something new and different.”
As head of the LIACF, Mr. Dresner combines a lifelong love of the arts with a solid business background. He is the owner of a successful financial services firm, as well as an accomplished composer. He has created a number of original pieces that have been performed for audiences across the U.S. and throughout Europe.
