Two Days Before Anniversary of Fire, State Grant Puts Sag Harbor Cinema Fundraising Goal In Reach
Just two days before the first anniversary of the Sag Harbor Cinema fire on Dec. 16 of last year, the Sag Harbor Partnership announced that they have received a $1.4 million grant from the New York State Regional Economic Development Council, putting them within a hair’s breadth of the $8 million needed to buy the property.
The Partnership has launched the Sag Harbor Cinema Arts Center, a non-profit that will provide community access to all things film at the site of the historic theater.
“What better news could there be on the eve of this anniversary than this major step forward,” said State Assemblyman Fred Thiele of Sag Harbor on Wednesday, according to an announcement from the Partnership. “This is really just a first step — this funding will go towards the acquisition of the property, but we need to keep this public-private partnership alive. I think there will clearly be funding down the line for construction.”
The Partnership also announced Thursday that “Tom of Shelter Island, a wonderful philanthropist whose name may be familiar to you from fundraising drives on WSHU, has given us a matching grant of $10,000!”
“Now you may be wondering why we’re not all kicking back in a hammock in a sunny clime somewhere. Well, as anyone who has bought a house knows, we still have closing costs to raise, and then there’s the capital building campaign we’ll be undertaking!,” according to the Partnership. “So yes, your contributions are still essential to saving our Cinema, and although we’re only a whisper away from the full $8M, we still need you!”
The group has until next Wednesday, Dec. 20th, at midnight to make their new challenge grant of $10,000. Donations are being accepted online here.
