BAYarts granted $100k for Playhouse from state budget

In an exciting show of confidence in the efforts of BAYarts to provide community engagement and restore the historical Huntington Playhouse for sustained use, BAYarts was allocated $100,000 from the state capital budget for the renovation.

State lawmakers announced their plan last Monday to spend more than $2.6 billion on capital improvements throughout Ohio for roads, bridges, parks, art and sport facilities and other initiatives. In addition, $20 million has been allocated for new scientific projects designed to fight opioid addiction, a rising concern in northeast Ohio.

“I’m excited to see funds proposed for Huntington Playhouse in the Capital Budget," said State Representative David Greenspan, a supporter of the project. “BAYarts has been working tirelessly to rehabilitate the facility and is an organization that provides excellent programming for Bay Village and the surrounding communities.”

BAYarts received state funds in 2010 for the Fuller House renovation, and in 2015 for the Karen Ryel Ceramic Studio. None of those projects would have been possible without the support of our lawmakers who understand the value that an organization like BAYarts has to the quality of life in northeast Ohio. We’re thrilled that this allocation will move the project closer to our $2 million goal.

BAYarts' upcoming benefit, “ENCORE: The Second Act of the Playhouse,” is scheduled for April 28 when plans for the renovation will be outlined. Details and tickets are available at www.bayarts.net.