NARROWSBURG – The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) announced today a grant award totaling $99,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the organization’s Tusten Theatre Audio & Cinema Systems 2.0. 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 will facilitate a complete upgrade of the Tusten Theatre’s audio and visual capabilities, including a completely new sound system, movie screen and projector. Work will start as soon as possible, resulting in a state-of-the-art experience for all visitors to DVAA’s Big Eddy Film Festival in September, the three-day Tusten Jazz festival in November and the many performing arts and film screenings programmed throughout the year.

DVAA’s Executive Director Ariel Shanberg said:

“The Tusten Theatre is a cherished performing arts venue in our region. Its stage and screen have hosted countless memorable events. The upgrading of our audio & cinema systems will provide audiences in this rural region, with cutting-edge immersive cinematic and live performance experiences and provide artists with the means to perform without compromise. This grant marks the first major capital investment since 1989 when DVAA renovated the theatre in partnership with the Town of Tusten and Sullivan County Department of Planning. We are truly grateful to Governor Hochul’s administration and the New York State Council on the Arts for the unique support this grant represents and its impact on our greater community.”