- Kosciuszko Foundation
Kosciuszko Foundation is a charitable foundation based in
New York City . It was created to fund programs that promote Polish-American intellectual and artistic exchange.History
The Polish American Scholarship Committee was established in 1923 by Dr. Stephen Mizwa at the request of the Polish Government to bring students to universities in the United States. Mizwa worked with the president of
Vassar College , Henry McCracken, who had visited Poland. The two expanded the Scholarship Committee's mission to promote cultural and educational exchanges between the United States and Poland. In December 1925, the Scholarship Committee changed into the new Kosciuszko Foundation. [ [http://www.nyc-architecture.com/UES/UES037.htm New York Architecture Images] , Retrieved onDecember 2 2007 .]The Foundation is named in honor of
Tadeusz Kościuszko , a Polish general and patriot, who after unsuccessful battles in upraising for Polish freedom migrated toNorth America and fought inAmerican Revolutionary War . The organization was founded in 1925, on the eve of the 150th anniversary of Kosciuszko's enlistment in the American liberation cause.The headquarters are in a limestone neo-Ranaissance three-story mansion built in 1917. The building was designed by Harry Allan Jacobs for James J. Van Alen, whose in-laws, the Astors, lived down the block. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DE1238F931A25754C0A964958260 "Postings: Kosciuszko Foundation House; An Inside Job" The New York Times, Published: July 12, 1992] Retrieved on
December 2 2007 .] The second story ballroom functions as a gallery, as well as a lecture and concert hall for chamber music and solo recitals.Activities
The foundation provides scholarships and fellowships to Polish students, scholars, and artists who were invited for a research or educational stay by an institution of higher education in the United States. Several programs are also targeted at Polish musicians. Grants for U.S. citizens include research and study opportunities in Poland.
The foundation organizes cultural events for the Polish community. It is the largest public institution in North America dedicated solely to Polish art. Exhibitions are held that draw from the permanent collection of oils, watercolors, prints, drawings, ceramics, sculpture, tapestries and photographs. An annual Chopin Piano Competition showcases young talent. [ [http://www.nyc-arts.org/oDetail.aspx?OrgID=1211&v=true NYC Arts, Culture Guide and Calendar] Retrieved on
December 2 2007 .]The foundation sponsors and publishes the biggest Polish-American and American-Polish dictionary, known as "Kosciuszko Foundation Dictionary" and published in a book and CD-ROM format. The recent version, titled "New Kosciuszko Foundation Dictionary" was issued in
2003 . Its editor-in-chief was a renowned Polish professor of English language,Jacek Fisiak .Chapters
Kosciuszko Foundation has regional chapters in:
* Buffalo (Western New York State)
*Chicago
*Denver (Rocky Mountain)
*Houston (Texas)
*Los Angeles
*Philadelphia
*Pittsburgh
* Springfield (New England)
*Warsaw ,Poland References
External links
* [http://www.kosciuszkofoundation.org/ The Kosciuszko Foundation website]
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