Sun file photo

EARLVILLE - Earlville Opera House (EOH) has been awarded $89,872 by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to install air conditioning in the 1892 historic Landmark Theater and re-roof a portion of its building.

This grant is part of a capital project funding announcement by NYSCA, which totals over $82 million to 132 arts and culture facilities across New York State.

“New York’s powerful arts and culture sector is a formidable asset,” Governor Hochul said. “Our continued investments in museums, theaters and art centers generate incredible returns - sparking innovation, boosting local economies, driving visitors and making us the global epicenter of arts and culture.”

As one of the oldest non-profit cultural organizations in Chenango County, EOH was founded in 1972 as a community service organization promoting arts in rural Central New York by offering programs of cultural, educational & historical significance. Programs include a range of diverse visual and performing arts programs and services represented by rotating gallery exhibits; live performances; arts workshops; arts education opportunities; and administering Statewide Community Regrants. EOH’s dual mission to enrich the area through the arts includes preserving the architectural and historic integrity of EOH, a unique 2nd story historic Landmark Theater constructed in 1892, for future generational use. EOH was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

EOH Executive Director, Michelle Connelly says, “It has been a long-time dream to add air conditioning to EOH’s historic Main Stage Theater which holds 300 seats on two levels and gets too warm for occupant comfort during the summer months. With this portion of the project, we will install air conditioning to improve audience comfort, performer health, and operational viability by enabling year-round comfortable use. Air conditioning will enhance acoustics, protect artifacts, and will help increase revenue with a modern, non-intrusive system that provides energy efficiency, balancing preservation with modern needs for stable temperature and humidity control. We could not be more thrilled.”

In relation to roof repair, EOH Board President Bruce Ward states, “EOH’s roof structure is divided into 3 discrete sections, one higher roof over the theater and two lower roofs flanking it on either side. Two of these sections have given us repeated leakage problems in recent years. With this project, we intend to replace one lower section of the roof which has repeatedly leaked causing major issues so that we can prevent future damage to the historic structure, with intentions to repair/replace damaged ceilings beneath it in the future for longevity and assurance of building stability.”

New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Erika Mallin said, “We know that when the arts flourish, communities follow - bringing energy, creating jobs, expanding accessibility, and increasing tourism. This grant program is a critical investment in our creative sector, empowering our creative community and inspiring innovation. Congratulations to all the grantees, we look forward to seeing these diverse projects develop all throughout the state.”

The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award over $161 million in FY 2027, serving hundreds of arts organizations and artists across all 10 state regions. The Council on the Arts further advances New York's creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources.

Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit  www.arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA's Facebook page,  on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.

Earlville Opera House Arts Center is located at 18 East Main Street in the quaint Village of Earlville, NY. At EOH we believe accessibility and inclusion are critical to everything we do. Our historic Opera House has been upgraded to ensure accessibility throughout the building, including a hearing loop system in our 1892 theater provided by Hamilton Hearing LLC.  
Please join us on Facebook and Instagram, view our website at  www.earlvilleoperahouse.com  for the latest programming and services, and stop in for a visit.

EOH events are made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with support from the Office of the Governor and NYS Legislature, and through the generosity of EOH members.

- Information from EOH