Caroga Arts Collective Awarded $5,221,000 by the New York State Council on the Arts for the Amphitheater at Sherman’s Park

CAROGA LAKE, NY – Caroga Arts Collective recently announced a grant award totaling $5,221,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the organization’s completion of the amphitheater at the former Sherman’s Amusement Park. This grant is part of a capital project funding announcement by NYSCA, which totals over $82 million to 132 arts and culture facilities across New York State.

“This grant is the realization of something we have been working toward for a very long time,” said Kyle Barrett Price, Founder, Executive and Artistic Director of Caroga Arts Collective. “The enhanced sound, lighting, and visuals will provide a world-class audience and artist experience, along with the seating and audience wing will bring the full amphitheater to life. The belief in New York State and in our community will help this become reality and allow continue the great tradition and legacy of Sherman’s to continue under Caroga Arts care. We are profoundly grateful to NYSCA and Governor Hochul for recognizing what the arts mean to this region — and for helping us build something that will serve the Southern Adirondacks for generations to come.”

“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.

About Caroga Arts Collective

The mission of Caroga Arts Collective is to reimagine the Adirondack experience through the power of the arts. Founded in 2012, Caroga Arts presents over 50 performances and community events each year, welcoming more than 150 artists from around the world to the Southern Adirondacks. Caroga Arts focuses on revitalizing the region through community outreach, partnerships with local businesses and non-profit organizations, and arts education programming for youth and adults. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, Caroga Arts is proud to call lakeside Sherman’s Park–the beloved former amusement park in Caroga Lake, NY–its home. Learn more: https://carogaarts.org.

Reimagining the Adirondack Experience through the Power of the Arts Campaign

The Reimagining the Adirondack Experience through the Power of the Arts Campaign is a multi-year Campus Master Plan funded through philanthropic and grant support. Through this comprehensive campaign, Caroga Arts is working to position Caroga as a hub for arts, education, and an internationally renowned artists-in-residence program, while further strengthening the economic and cultural impact for the entire region.