October 9, 2015

Piscopo Applauds State Funding to Enhance Cultural & Historic Opera House

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Thomaston– State Rep. John Piscopo (R-76) hailed the announcement by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) that it will provide $1,990,386 in grants to 20 nonprofit organizations that sponsor cultural and historic sites in the state, including one for the Landmark Community Theater, manager of the historic Thomaston Opera House, which will receive a $100,000 state grant.

“For more than 130 years, the Thomaston Opera House has been at the heart of our community’s culture and history and I am thrilled that this funding has been awarded to support the Landmark Community Theater,” said Piscopo. “This historic facility continues to serve as a cultural hub for the residents of Thomaston and the surrounding communities. Dedicated volunteers have donated countless hours of their time and their talent to the theater and the arts to improve the quality of life for residents. This funding will go a long way in assisting their efforts.”

Through the Good to Great Program, administered by DECD’s Offices of Arts and Historic Preservation, grants are being awarded to eligible organizations that promote science, art, culture, or the history of Connecticut.

Piscopo added, “I would like to thank the state DECD for awarding this important grant to the Landmark Community Theater. I would also like to thank the Chairman of the Board of The Landmark Community Theater Gary Kingsbury, along with members of the Opera House Commission for their assistance with grant writing and supporting efforts. The grant will provide much needed funding to continue the work to restore this historic facility, improve its technical capabilities, and ensure quality entertainment and educational productions for years to come.”

The Thomaston Opera house was built in 1884 and serves as a cultural and recreational center for the town and surrounding communities. The Landmark Community Theater operates the performing arts organization in the Thomaston Opera House and provides high quality entertainment and educational programming.

Good to Great was created in 2014 to fund improvements that will significantly enhance cultural and historic sites and the way people enjoy them. Specifically, the program will target smaller and mid-sized cultural organizations that have received limited state funding in the past.

Funding, which ranges from $50,000 to $125,000 grants, can be used for a variety of activities including construction, exhibit designing and installation, planning and marketing. This pilot program has a 25% cash match requirement.

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