Last week, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery named Brooklyn artist Danny Simmons as a member of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

Simmons is the vice-chairman and co-founder of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, an organization that gives disadvantaged urban youth exposure and access to the arts. It also provides under-represented artists and artists of color opportunities to exhibit their work.

The 20-member NYSCA promotes all fields of the arts as a State cultural resource and gives grants-in-aid to nonprofit cultural organizations.

"Danny and his Foundation staff have helped expose youth from my Senate District to the visual and cultural arts," said Montgomery.

Simmons has worked with and supported youth through organizations such as the Brooklyn Museum, Pratt Institute, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Simmons' appointment follows Governor David Paterson's proposal to cut the 2009-10 state budget spending for the arts by $8.3 million, an action that will impact 55 cultural institutions in Brooklyn, according to the New York State Alliance for the Arts.

Simmons praised Montgomery for backing the arts in Brooklyn.

"Brooklyn is fast becoming the 'go to' place in New York State for cutting edge arts and culture, and your support of the arts has paved the way for this to happen," said Simmons.