In November 2023, the Penn Yan Theatre Company (PYTCo) successfully applied for grant funding from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) for the 2024 fiscal year. The funding is to help cover the cost of the organization’s day-to-day operations including insurance, office rental space, computer/office supplies, marketing services, and more. Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded over $80 million since Spring 2023 to over 1,500 artists and organizations across the state.
PYTCo is the ownership body of the Sampson Theatre, a building and project they’ve been diligently working to bring to life for several years. Owning this building comes with many hidden costs, including municipalities and various insurances for performances, volunteers, and storage units that house PYTCo’s vast costume and props collections. In 2024, these expenses will be covered by the NYSCA with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
PYTCo board president Dusty Baker describes the exponential positive effects of this grant funding. “Because we have these funds to cover our operating costs this year, we will be able to direct 100% of our fundraising efforts towards the Sampson Theatre project directly,” he says. “We typically have to split our fundraising efforts between our operating and Sampson Theatre accounts. This year, we’ll be able to ask our fundraising committee to direct their efforts directly to the Sampson account, and that is quite exciting.”
Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Research confirms what we’ve always known here in New York: arts and culture are a powerhouse, with a staggering return on investment for our economy and our communities. Nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences generated $151.7 billion in economic activity nationwide in 2022 and NewYork’s unparalleled arts and culture sector is leading the way to benefit our residents, our students, and our visitors every day. I commend these grantees on their achievements and look forward to their contributions in the coming year.”
The Penn Yan Theatre Company recently concluded their 45th season, which included three musical productions, radio show, benefit concert, their annual Star Shine music and lights display and various smaller fundraising events. The organization is in the early stages of planning for its 2024 summer season, which will feature the 20th installment of its annual youth theatre summer camp.
For more information about the Penn Yan Theatre Company, their programming, and efforts to revitalize the Sampson Theatre, visit pytco.org.
