ArtsWestchester receives $5M state investment for expansion and accessibility improvements
The funding, included in New York’s 2027 state budget, will support improvements to ArtsWestchester’s landmark headquarters at 31 Mamaroneck Ave.
ArtsWestchester is set to receive a $5 million investment from the state of New York that leaders say will help preserve the organization’s historic home while expanding access to arts and cultural programming across the region.
The funding, included in New York’s 2027 state budget, will support improvements to ArtsWestchester’s landmark headquarters at 31 Mamaroneck Ave. in downtown White Plains. The building, originally constructed as a bank, has served as the organization’s home for more than two decades.
ArtsWestchester CEO Kathleen Reckling said the investment is about preparing the building for the future while making it more welcoming to everyone.
“We’ve got to bring it up and get it ready for the next century of service, but also to make sure that it’s truly accessible to the community and that we’ll have expanded spaces to provide really enriching programs for all of our communities here,” Reckling said.
The planned improvements include accessibility upgrades, renovations to public spaces and infrastructure improvements that officials say will allow the organization to expand educational and cultural programming.
State and local elected officials joined ArtsWestchester leadership and members of the arts community Thursday to celebrate the funding, calling it an investment not only in a building but in the region’s cultural economy.
The announcement comes as downtown White Plains continues to add thousands of new residential units, positioning ArtsWestchester to serve a growing population with exhibitions, performances, arts education and community programs.
ArtsWestchester represents hundreds of cultural organizations and individual artists throughout Westchester County, providing grants, advocacy and public programming while operating galleries and exhibition spaces from its White Plains headquarters.
