To all of our supporters, members and friends in the community:

To all of our supporters, members and friends in the community:

In response to recent concerns, social media posts, and a linked petition recently brought to the attention of the NACC, we would like our supporters to know that we have initiated an internal investigation. Our Board and our attorney are taking this seriously, and looking into each matter.

We would like to remind the community that we are a private organization that is not part of any political process. None of the conflict on social media involves the NACC’s official position as stated below.

We are an organization that promotes tolerance, inclusion, and diversity. We do not support violence, racism, or sexism.

Our Mission:
Protect the historic building, and promote arts and cultural experiences to our community and visitors to the region.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding,

Niagara Arts & Cultural Center Board of Directors

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UPDATE 1/21/2021

On December 1, 2019, Peter Green executed a lease for Suite 300 in the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center. The lease was for a one (1) year term commencing December 1, 2019, and expiring November 30, 2020. The lease contained a provision permitting the tenant to renew the lease by sending a notice to renew 30 days before the expiration of the term. Mr. Green did not exercise this right. As a result as of December 1, 2020, he became a month to month tenant.

During the meeting on January 20, 2021, the Board passed a resolution directing delivery to the tenant a notice that the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center is terminating his month to month tenancy effective February 28, 2021. It is my understanding that this will be delivered to the tenant immediately.

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Update 2/12/2021

On Monday January 11 2021 The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center (the NACC) Board president Mary Ricciardi and Executive Director Kathie Kudela received a long complicated email forwarded by a supporter. The content of the email was an Open Letter on Facebook originated by Nate McMurray. The Open Letter had an online petition attached to remove YoWoWa Media from the NAAC. The NACC was not notified of the publication by Mr. McMurray prior to it being on Facebook to clarify the accusations related to the NACC.
Please be aware there were many inconsistencies and political invective throughout the Open Letter. McMurray contended the NAAC was a community center, a public facility and the home to a radio station that aired YoWoWa podcasts.
To clarify the facilities identity, the following are the correct facts. It is known as the NACC (not NAAC). It is an ART CENTER, it is PRIVATE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, it is home to a radio station WEBR which was not involved with the podcasts
We began an internal investigation. What we found was that Peter Green, whose name was the only one on the lease, had indicated that he was tourism operator who would be operating a tourism podcast from his studio. Originally that seemed to be working, however recently a group attached themselves to him and his podcast. This was something we were unaware of. That group certainly did not meet our mission or the standards in the lease about tolerance as worded below. This has been in our lease for 20 years. We would also like to remind the community that we are a private organization that is not part of any political process.
Tenants are required to respect the race, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical ability and spiritual orientation of all tenants and visitors. Tenants will refrain from using derogatory language toward the tenants and visitors.
After an internal investigation we met with our attorney Thomas J Caserta Jr. who then attended the Board meeting on January 20th. With his help the Board determined the professional and legal way to proceed .Peter Green had become a month-to- month tenant prior to our knowledge about the podcasts. This is a summary of the actions of Board.

On December 1, 2019 Peter Green executed a lease for Suite 300 in the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center. The lease was for a one (1) year term commencing December 1, 2019 and expiring November 30, 2020. The lease contained a provision permitting the tenant to renew the lease by sending a notice to renew 30 days before the expiration of the term. Mr. Green did not exercise this right. As a result,  as of December 1, 2020 he became a month to month tenant.
During the meeting on January 20, 2021 the Board passed a resolution directing delivery to the tenant, a notice that the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center is terminating his month to month tenancy effective February 28, 2021. It was delivered to the tenant the following day

This Board resolution was sent to the Buffalo News for publication and an excerpt form the newspaper column that resulted is below:
“It sounds like the NACC did the professional and responsible thing in the interest of safeguarding their community from violent extremists” said attorney Heidi I Jones, a member of Buffalo Concerned Neighbors
Going forward the NACC will meet with their attorney to review and improve our lease agreement to ensure tenants do what they say they intend to do in their studios. Be assured that the NACC will continue to follow its mission,” To protect the historic building and promote arts and cultural experiences to our community and visitors to the region.