(SOUTHERN TIER, NY) - Today, NYS Senator Lea Webb announced over $1.5 million in funding through the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Capital Projects Fund for Senate District 52. This investment in non-profit arts and cultural organizations across New York was secured in the FY ‘26 Adopted Budget, and supports crucial building renovations, accessibility improvements, and new spaces for creative and cultural work. 

“Arts programming is critical to both the physical and mental health and well-being of our communities. This funding through NYSCA means that our treasured community spaces can provide much-needed improvements, allowing their buildings to continue flourishing for years to come,” said Senator Lea Webb. “Today’s recipients are a testament to why engagement in the arts is so important. They provide educational programming, historical information, and serve as gathering spaces and community centers. I am thankful for this funding and cannot wait to visit these spaces and see the incredible work they will be able to do.” 

Said Joseph Foti, Executive Director of the Endicott Performing Arts Center, “The Lyric Theater is one of the original theaters that was built in the Southern Tier, standing as a pillar in Broome County since 1917. The funding from NYSCA and other local charitable foundations is crucial to the overall sustainability of our organization and will take us into the next 20-30 years of bringing large, broadway-style musicals to our residents.” 

“Peck Memorial Library is extremely grateful to receive the NYSCA award as well as the NYForward award. The restored Opera Hall will be a beautiful, historic, inspiring space to hold events,” said Mary Frank, Director of Peck Memorial Library. “It will be fully accessible and climate controlled. The 200-person, flat-floored auditorium with a stage creates enormous potential. The renovated Opera Hall will allow the library to showcase a myriad of local musicians and musical styles. As a library, they also plan to bring storytellers into the community and expand author readings. The flexible flat floor will also support dance and other visual arts, such as painting or drawing classes. In addition to bringing the arts into Marathon, the project will also create a unique, beautiful and intimately scaled venue for many artists and performers.” 

Said Dona Roman, Managing Director of the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, “The Conservatory expresses deep gratitude for the ongoing support from the New York State Council on the Arts and the NY Legislature. This funding plays a crucial role in enhancing our newly renovated space, particularly with the addition of a state-of-the-art sound system, which will greatly benefit our programs and performances.”

These NYSCA grants include three categories: 

• Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants: Range from $10,000 to $2 million

• Large Capital Improvement Grants: Range from $2 million to $10 million and focus on large-scale capital projects that prioritize community development and placemaking

• Capital Design Grants: Range from $10,000 to $500,000 and support the development of mid-stage and advanced design documents to advance capital projects for arts and cultural nonprofits

   

The following awards were made throughout District 52: 

• Broome County:

  • Endicott Performing Arts Center was awarded $50,000 for EPAC Roof Restoration 

  • Roberson Museum and Science Center was awarded $390,000 for Critical HVAC Modernization 

  • Phelps Mansion Museum was awarded $49,999 for Ballroom Roof Replacement 

• Cortland County:

  • Peck Memorial Library Association was awarded $1,000,000 for Peck Library Restoration and Opera Hall Redevelopment 

• Tompkins County:

  • Sciencenter Discovery Museum was awarded $75,000 for Sciencenter Elevator Modernization 

  • Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts was awarded $25,000 for Sound System Equipment and Installation 

   

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