Arts and cultural organizations across the Finger Lakes and Central New York will receive more than $1 million in state funding for building upgrades, accessibility improvements and equipment investments as part of a statewide effort to strengthen New York’s arts infrastructure.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that 132 projects statewide will share $82.2 million through the New York State Council on the Arts Capital Projects Fund. State officials said 77% of the grants were awarded to organizations with annual budgets under $3 million, helping smaller nonprofits undertake projects that might otherwise be out of reach.
The awards will support a range of projects across the region, from historic preservation and accessibility upgrades to gallery renovations and technology improvements.
Seneca County received the largest share of local funding. The Waterloo Library & Historical Society secured $370,000 for an accessibility expansion project, while the National Women’s Hall of Fame received $93,000 for architectural and engineering design work aimed at activating upper-floor space within its historic headquarters.
In Monroe County, several organizations also received funding. The George Eastman Museum was awarded $746,000 to replace critical HVAC infrastructure, while the University of Rochester received $382,000 for gallery renovations and a new lighting system. The Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum secured $1.2 million for a roof overlay system installation, and Writers & Books received nearly $25,000 for new flooring. Creative Ability Development received $337,000 for construction and renovation work focused on accessibility and program expansion.
Ontario County organizations also benefited from the program. The Smith Center for the Arts in Geneva received $99,000 to replace its film projector, while the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum was awarded $18,000 for planning and design work tied to a partial interior restoration.
Elsewhere in the region, the Cayuga Museum of History and Art received more than $95,000 for floor repairs and replacement, while The Rockwell Museum in Corning secured $95,000 to renovate and expand its second-floor galleries. The Sciencenter in Ithaca received $74,000 to modernize its elevator system, and the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts was awarded $25,000 for sound system equipment and installation.
Yates County recipients included the Yates County Arts Council, which received $35,000 for a Main Street HVAC replacement project, and the Rochester Folk Art Guild, which was awarded $41,200 to complete infrastructure improvements tied to its Romeo Program and guest house facilities.
State officials said the investments are intended to preserve cultural institutions, improve public access, and ensure arts organizations have the facilities needed to serve their communities for years to come.
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