Pine Plains, NY – Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Michelle Hinchey today announced $750,000 in state funding they’ve pledged to support renovations at the Stissing Center for Arts and Culture in Pine Plains. This funding will allow the Stissing Center to make essential ADA-compliant upgrades, including the installation of an elevator, to ensure everyone can access and enjoy the space.

“Since opening its doors in 2019, the Stissing Center has become a treasured hub for culture, diverse arts, and community gatherings for Pine Plains residents and visitors alike,” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett. “As the Stissing Center leadership team embarks on its next phase, I am honored to secure funding to help them realize these critical improvements which will expand both the landmark building’s usable space and the center’s energizing impact on the local economy. I thank Senator Hinchey for her partnership.”

“Supporting cultural epicenters like the Stissing Center is critical to making the arts more accessible to everyone, especially in our small towns,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “The arts have an incredible ability to enrich our lives and open our minds to new perspectives. The Stissing Center is doing just that – creating a space for cultural exchange in Pine Plains, bringing diverse performances and programs into the community that inspire and connect us all. I was proud to secure funding to support renovations alongside Assemblymember Didi Barrett, and I’m excited to see how it will help Stissing Center continue its great work, drive local tourism, and unite people through arts and entertainment.”

On behalf of our Board of Directors, our staff, our donors, and our community of Pine Plains, we are all profoundly grateful to Senator Hinchey and Assemblywoman Barrett for this exceptional commitment to The Stissing Center and the broader vision of an accessible, inclusive arts and culture center for our entire community and region,” said Brett Bernardini, Executive Director of the Stissing Center for Arts and Culture. “Their commitment to our mission not only demonstrates a deep investment in our organization but also in the value of the arts for empowering life in our rural community. In areas like Pine Plains, arts and culture serve as a vital bridge – connecting individuals, celebrating local talent, and fostering a sense of community that enriches us all. This generous financial support is instrumental in enabling us to create a space where everyone, regardless of age, mobility, or background, can fully engage with the arts and culture in Pine Plains. The funds will directly support improvements to the building’s accessibility, from entranceways to an elevator, ensuring that everyone in our community, all our artists and our patrons all know they are welcome and empowered to participate. With leaders like Senator Hinchey and Assemblywoman Barrett standing with us, we are one step closer to making this vision a reality.”

The Stissing Center is a non-profit live music and performing arts venue that offers a diverse array of entertainment and cultural programming to northeast Dutchess County. By supporting local arts and culture, the Stissing Center is playing a key role in the economic revitalization of Pine Plains and the broader Hudson Valley, creating jobs and driving tourism to the area.