ROCHESTER, NY—The Strong National Museum of Play announced today a grant award of $1.2 million from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the museum’s roof overlay capital project. This grant is part of a larger capital project funding announcement by NYSCA, which totals over $82 million to 132 arts and culture facilities across New York State.
This NYSCA Capital Improvement Grant will allow The Strong to complete a roof overlay project that is critical to the museum’s ability to safeguard its exhibits and collections—and ensure a safe, enriching environment for children and families who visit annually. The overlay will cover roofing areas installed between 2004 and 2006 that experience frequent leaks, covering popular museum exhibits such as Field of Play, Imagination Destination, Reading Adventureland, and more.
“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 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. For more information on NYSCA, please visit www.arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA’s Facebook page, on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.
