The Depot Theatre Awarded $83,000 NYSCA Capital Grant for Historic Preservation and Facility Improvements

The Depot Theatre has been awarded $83,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support critical capital improvements to its historic home in the 1876 Westport train station.

The grant is part of a statewide capital funding announcement supporting arts and culture facilities across New York State. Funding will help The Depot Theatre undertake improvements that strengthen the long-term sustainability, accessibility, and functionality of the historic building while preserving its unique character and significance.

Planned improvements include upgrades to heating and cooling systems, roof insulation in portions of the facility, and improvements to windows and building infrastructure designed to increase energy efficiency, improve visitor comfort, and support year-round stewardship of the historic property.

“The Depot Theatre occupies one of the most distinctive performing arts venues in New York State,” said Scott Gibree, Chair of the Depot Theatre Board of Trustees. “This investment helps us preserve an important piece of Adirondack history while ensuring that artists, audiences, students, and community members can continue to gather here for years to come. We are deeply grateful to NYSCA, Governor Hochul, and our elected leaders for recognizing the importance of rural cultural infrastructure.”

The project builds on the Theatre’s ongoing commitment to historic preservation and public service. In addition to serving as a professional theatre and educational center, The Depot Theatre operates within an active Amtrak station and serves thousands of residents and visitors each year through Main Stage productions, youth programming, concerts, readings, and community events.

By improving energy efficiency and building performance, the project will help reduce operating costs, enhance environmental sustainability, protect valuable theatrical equipment, and support expanded use of the facility during the spring and fall shoulder seasons.

“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.”

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.”

About The Depot Theatre

Founded in 1979, The Depot Theatre is a professional nonprofit theatre located in the historic Westport train station on the shore of Lake Champlain. Guided by its mission to enrich the lives of residents and visitors through live performance, arts education, and community engagement, the Theatre presents a Main Stage season, the Depot Theatre Academy, and year-round special events that connect artists and audiences in the Adirondack region.

About the New York State Council on the Arts

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.