Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Theater

It was “All’s Well That Ends Well” for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival which recently celebrated a groundbreaking for the new Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center in Garrison. The 14,850-square-foot facility will be the first purpose-built Leed Platinum Theater in the nation.

The groundbreaking held September 25 was attended by Gov Kathy Hochul who recently announced up to $80 million for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Capital Projects Fund.

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s expansion is supported by a $13.25 million investment from multiple state agencies, including NYSCA, Empire State Development, as recommended by the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

This investment will help create a sustainable and state-of-the-art performance venue while restoring the surrounding environment.“

Arts and cultural organizations like Hudson Valley Shakespeare are central to communities across New York State — boosting local economies and driving our vibrant tourism industry,” Governor Hochul said. “As we celebrate the groundbreaking for Hudson Valley Shakespeare’s expansion, we’re also making $80 million available to help even more organizations across the state have the opportunity to grow, thrive, and inspire the next generation of New Yorkers.”

BCW President & CEO Marsha Gordon, who is co-chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, said, “As we set the stage today for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival expansion project, we are grateful for New York State’s continued investment in the arts and cultural organizations that enrich our region and reflect the depth and breadth of our local history and talent.” Gordon, in a statement with her co-chair Dr. Kristine Young, president of SUNY Orange, added, “This project, while building our tourism economy, also recognizes the need to create sustainable spaces for these creative communities to thrive for many seasons to come.”

The new capital funding aims to support projects that promote the sustainability, resilience, and growth of cultural organizations. Eligible projects include renovations, new constructions, and equipment purchases that enhance the infrastructure of the state’s vibrant arts and cultural sector.

State officials hope that the expansion of Hudson Valley Shakespeare and the broader availability of funding through NYSCA will bolster New York’s status as a leader in the arts while contributing to local economic development and tourism. The application portal is now open on the NYSCA’s website, arts.ny.gov. The deadline to submit completed applications is January 14, 2025.