For Immediate Release

Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education

receives $279,000 in matching state funds towards artist housing and sound equipment.

Governor Hochul Announces $42 Million Investment in Small and Mid-Sized Capital Projects for Arts and Cultural Organizations

We are thrilled to announce that Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education has won $279,000 in NY State Council on the Arts funding in support of artist housing and updated sound equipment. These funds come from NYSCA and Governor Hochul's extraordinary $42 Million investment in Small and Mid-Sized Capital Projects for Arts and Cultural Organizations.

“Strengthening our creative sector increases tourism, boosts our economy, and enhances the rich heritage and cultural life of New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “These record grants will support a wide range of diverse and innovative projects at our arts and cultural organizations across the state, helping ensure all who visit will continue to have wonderful experiences for years to come.”

"In the last two years, with NYSCA's extraordinary support, we have completed several facilities projects that have greatly improved patrons' experiences, including new HVAC systems in three of our buildings and new restrooms in Hubbard Hall," says Executive & Artistic Director David Snider. "The addition of artist housing and new sound equipment are critical steps in our growth in serving our community and the field at large. We are so grateful for the Governor's leadership and NYSCA's amazing support on these projects. We could not do any of this without them or without the support of our local community. These additions will continue to make Cambridge a destination for artists and audiences."

The Lovejoy building on the Hubbard Hall campus will be restored and renovated to provide artist housing, while new sound equipment on the main stage will better support artists and audiences for years to come. The $279,000 will be matched by Hubbard Hall existing funds as well as an additional $100K yet to be raised over a three year period. The hope is to complete the artist housing portion of the project by July 2024, with new sound equipment to be implemented later this year. New artist housing will strengthen Hubbard Hall's ability to support artist residencies, develop new work, and bring world-class artists to Cambridge, NY for a variety of presentations and productions.

Said Hubbard Hall Board of Directors Chair Margaret Surowka: "Artist residencies are essential to Hubbard Hall, in that they bring diverse new voices and views to our rural community. With the shortage of any nearby lodging options, this grant will allow Hubbard Hall to restore the beautiful Lovejoy building in a practical way, and allow us continue to invite new artists and house them here in our community."

The leader of the board's facilities working group, Andrew Pate, added: "Hubbard Hall is excited to be expanding its artist residency program, which has exposed a shortage of motel and short term housing in our area. The Lovejoy Building in the middle of our campus is the perfect building to adapt to our needs to accommodate visiting artists and performers. Plans and funding will make the building accessible and affordable, broadening what the Hall can offer the community. It will also allow Hubbard Hall to host emerging artists and connect with organizations out of our area."

Hubbard Hall plans to begin work on the artist housing in July. The architect on the project is Geoff Metcalfe of Keefe and Wesner, with engineering provided by Engineering Services of Vermont, LLC.

For more information and images contact David Snider at [email protected] or 518-677-2495, ext. 313.

The vacant Lovejoy building will be activated as artist housing.

The historic second floor will be restored as part of the process, with several new bedrooms, bathrooms, and a common kitchen area.

Land Acknowledgement

Hubbard Hall acknowledges that we gather on the lands once occupied by the Onkwehonwe (pronounced “own gway own way”), the Original People. They did not view the land as a possession, but rather believed it was they who belonged to the land. Among those people were the Mahican, the Huron and the Mohawk. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations.

This statement is called a Land Acknowledgment — a practice that many organizations have adopted to recognize and thank the Indigenous inhabitants of the land on which they live and work. This one was written in collaboration with John Kane, a member of the Mohawk Nation and Cambridge Central School graduate.

Thank you so much for your participation and support!

We could not do what we do without you!