3 Mahoning Valley Arts Organizations Awarded State Grants
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association has been awarded $180,940 from the Ohio Arts Economic Relief grant program.
Two other Mahoning Valley arts organizations also received grants, which were announced Friday by the governor’s office and the state development department.
The Warren Community Amphitheatre received $47,867, and Stage Left Players in Lisbon received $13,643.
Stambaugh Auditorium will use the money for operating expenses, maintenance on the nearly 100-year-old building and future projects, said Matt Pagac, CEO and chief operating officer..
The Warren amphitheater will use the grant to improve its sound system, upgrade other equipment and make other improvements, according to Alyssa Connelly-Bissett, marketing director of Sunrise Entertainment. Sunrise presents the River Rock at the Amp concert series at the venue.
Stage Left will pay for its upcoming season and youth theater education with its grant, and implement a new community arts and mental health initiative, said Kandace Cleland, director of the theater.
In total, the state doled out more than $23 million to 139 arts organizations statewide.
The funds are part of the first round of the arts relief grant program.
“Ohio’s arts communities are an integral part of why Ohio stands out as a great place to live and a great place to visit,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a press release. “These grants will help ensure that communities continue to have access to the programming and learning experiences Ohioans love.”
A total of $50 million is available through the program, with a second round of funding to be announced in coming weeks.
Funding can be used to help pay for employee compensation, excluding bonuses; employee recruitment, rehiring and training expenses; rent or mortgage payments; and operating costs.
More than 400 organizations applied for the grants.
Pictured at top: Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
