NEW YORK, NY June 29, 2009 —An arts organization that's been serving the Lower East Side out of a dilapidated tenement for nearly 30 years, is on its way to building a brand new community center, thanks to a grant from the city.

ABC No Rio offers the community access to their 'zine library, silk screening shop, and other collaborative arts and outreach programs. and it says the $1.65 million grant will allow it to nurture a new generation of artists.

Executive Director Steven Englander says ABC No Rio applied to the city for funding three times, retooling their request each time, before succeeding.

ENGLANDER: I think it does demonstrate that a small arts organization with some tenacity can actually raise the funds necessary to do big projects.

REPORTER: Englander says the grant demonstrates the city's support for culture, and the small arts organizations that serve as incubators for new talent.