State Theatre of Ithaca, other historic venues form coalition to secure financial support

By Mathew Adams January 18, 2023 7:29 pm

ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) –The State Theatre of Ithaca is joining other historic venues across New York to secure more support from the state.

Thirteen downtown performing arts centers from Buffalo to Poughkeepsie have been meeting virtually since the start of the pandemic. They’ve come together to form a coalition called Alive Downtowns! They’re seeking annual funding of $20 million. They say the money would help secure the significant economic and cultural impacts each venue has in their community. The facilities have an average age of nearly 100 years, serving over 5 million people annually. Their combined budgets exceed $100 million and their economic impacts “conservatively exceed $350 million.”

“The COVID-19 shutdown impacted the performing arts industry for nearly two years,” said Executive Director of the State Theatre of Ithaca Doug Levine. “We have done everything we could do to keep our doors open but still need additional support. It’s important to see the real financial impact the arts has on all of these upstate economies and to consider what our communities would look like if historic theatres like The State were no longer around.”

The coalition is trying to get lawmakers to view historic theatres as having great public benefit, much the same way they do aquariums, zoos, museums and public television, for example. The coalition says the response from local legislators and the Governor’s office so far has been supportive, but they’re hoping to reach all elected officials.

“This group of performing arts centers are economic, educational and cultural engines in upstate,” said Levine. “We are hoping the state can make a modest investment in us that will pay huge dividends.”

Alive Downtowns! members: