‘REBUILDING MODE’
Historic performing arts centers in upstate New York advocating for state funding
Leaders of historic performing arts centers in upstate New York are advocating for the inclusion of $20 million in the state budget to support their respective venues as economic engines for their downtowns.
Representatives from Capital Region landmarks the Palace Theatre, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Proctors, Universal Preservation Hall and Capital Repertory Theatre recently held a press conference with area elected officials to share how critical it is for the state to support historic theaters from Buffalo to the Hudson Valley to keep investment in upstate cities strong and future-oriented.
Jon Elbaum of Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Kevin Johnson of the Palace Theatre, and Philip Morris of Proctors Collaborative, which includes Proctors, Universal Preservation Hall and Capital Repertory Theatre all spoke of the challenges that come with operating historic theaters as well as how important these spaces are for their downtown communities.
“The last three years have been extraordinarily difficult for all nonprofit organizations, and arts and cultural organizations in particular. We’re really tremendously grateful for all the
support from local, state and federal lawmakers who have allowed us to weather this terrible storm — but it’s not over,” Elbaum said. “We’re all still in rebuilding mode.”
Assemblymembers John McDonald, Patricia Fahy and Phil Steck were in attendance at the press conference, and expressed their support for the initiative, along with Mayor Kathy Sheehan
of Albany and Deputy Mayor Christopher Nolin of Troy.
In addition to the Albany, Schenectady, Troy and Saratoga Springs venues that local residents know and love, the Alive Downtowns! effort extends beyond the Capital Region.
Representing more than a dozen upstate cities, Alive Downtowns! mem
bers are Bardavon 1896 Opera House (Poughkeepsie), Clemens Center (Elmira), Palace Performing Arts Center (Albany), Proctors Collaborative (Schenectady, Albany, Saratoga Springs), The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts (Jamestown), Rochester Broadway Theatre League’s Auditorium Theatre (Rochester), Shea’s Performing Arts Center (Buffalo), The Smith Center for the Arts (Geneva), Stanley Theatre (Utica), State Theatre of Ithaca, Syracuse Area Landmark Theatre, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and Ulster Performing Arts Center (Kingston).
Together these facilities employ over 1,000 people and have an economic impact of more than $350 million dollars per year.
In speaking about the economic role of the local institutions, Capital Region Chamber president and CEO Mark Eagan called them “the foundation of our downtowns.”
The core operating state support Alive Downtowns! is seeking is similar to what is provided to New York’s zoos, aquariums and public broadcasting.
“We have high hopes our legislators would see the immense value for the state to support our historic downtown performing arts centers,” said Morris, a founding member of Alive Downtowns!, in a press release. “These 100 year old facilities have gone from near demolition to be essential institutions in each of our communities. We want that to continue.”
Alive Downtowns! is an affiliate corporation to the Upstate Theater Coalition for a Fairgame, established eight years ago in response to the establishment of casinos in the eastern and southern tiers of the state.