Puffin Foundation West, Ltd. will seek to open the doors of artistic expression by providing grants to artists and art organizations that are often excluded from mainstream opportunities due to race, gender, or social philosophy. Artists are able to reach across the borders of our imagination and in doing so often peaceably transform our society’s ideas. Creative expression and innovation have always helped move society towards a more progressive democracy and allow us to recognize our universal humanity. Puffin Foundation West, Ltd. is committed to supporting such grass-roots artists and organizations.

The Puffin is a metaphor for our work. This species once prospered off the coast of New England but was hunted almost to extinction for its feathers and for stew. In more modern times, the remaining birds and their eggs came under attack from seagulls, which followed the garbage that once flowed out of Boston Harbor to these out-lying isles, and they found these baby embryos to be a delicacy. That fact, when combined with the problem that the lead in gasoline caused the eggshells to weaken, created a scenario where few embryos survived to become hatchlings/Pufflings. In the late 1970’s, Dorothea Rosenstein was one of a small group of volunteers who worked on a project to reintroduce Puffins back to these islands. Owing to these constructive efforts, the clean up of the harbor, and the introduction of un-leaded gasoline and engines with catalytic converters, these birds are making a comeback. So unlike Captain Kirk’s prime directive many times you do have to step-up to make things right. The Puffin Foundation West, Ltd. will partner with other concerned groups and individuals as part of our Mission to insure that the arts continue to grow and enrich our lives. Grant Applications to individuals, educational and cultural organizations with projects meeting our Mission’s objective by utilizing Art, Dance, Music, Photography, Film/Video, Film, Writing, Pubic Interest and Poetry are invited to apply.

Java Kitrick, Director