Nearly $32 million in grants has been awarded to support capital projects for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations across the state including several local sites.
In Cayuga County, Auburn Public Theater and the Howland Stone Store Museum have each received $50,000.
The theater will use its funds to install a new fire alarm system and restore its main entrance staircase. Dominic Gambaiani with APT told Finger Lakes News Radio that the alarm system will improve safety throughout the building while the staircase will become the grand entrance to the Owasco Room on the lower levels.
“We’re grateful to Governor Hochel, Senator May, and the legislature for their continuing support,” said Gambaiani.
The museum’s funding will be used for the reconstruction of the east porch of its Opendore property. Opendore was the home of Isabel Howland who was active in the women’s suffrage movement. The Hazzard Library also plans to move into a new building on the property.
Several organizations in the Southern Tier are also getting funding.
Tompkins County saw four winners. Historic Ithaca Inc. was awarded 50,000 for a roof replacement. The State Theatre of Ithaca will use its $94,000 grant to upgrade its lighting system. The Cherry Arts Inc. received $50,000 for a lighting and video system and its Cherry Artspace, Cherry Gallery, and Camilla Studio. The Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts was also awarded $25,000 for stage lighting.
Outside of Tompkins County, the Corning-Painted Post Historical Society has received $50,000 for upgrades to its herb garden and a parking lot expansion while the Yates County Arts Council has received $10,000 for its Sunny Point roof replacement project.
Funding for these projects comes from the New York State Council on the Arts’ Capital Projects Fund.
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