We congratulate the Apollo Theater announced today that it is one of 16 historic New York City locations that received a preservation grant as part of the Partners in Preservation competition… … organized and overseen by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Apollo was awarded $150,000, which it will use to restore specific decorative elements in the historic auditorium.
Since it opened in 1934, the Apollo Theater has been a cornerstone of the Harlem community and has launched and nurtured the careers of countless legendary performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Lauryn Hill, and Alicia Keys. Building on its longstanding role as a creative catalyst for Harlem, New York, and the nation, the Theater’s artistic and community programs continue to make the Apollo a vital cultural resource and an important platform for both emerging and established artists.
In addition to its signature talent show, Amateur Night, which has occurred virtually every Wednesday night since the Theater’s inception, the Apollo, a nonprofit arts institution, offers a wide variety of programming, including:
- Music Café: an intimate cabaret series showcasing emerging and underground artists
- Salon Series: a showcase that supports the development of new works including Queen Esther’s Billie Holiday Project and the family musical Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money
- Annual Harlem Jazz Shrines festival: a celebration of the neighborhood’s history as a jazz mecca and that showcases today’s top talents
- Community programs to enrich the neighborhood including Open House weekends during which patrons are invited to explore the Theater and its history, attend film screenings, performances, and a cultural fair
“We are honored and thrilled to be chosen for this grant, and are grateful to American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing the Apollo Theater’s importance as a beloved New York City landmark,” said Jonelle Procope, President and CEO of the Apollo Theater.
Forty sites from all five boroughs competed for public votes this spring for preservation funding from American Express. With today’s announcement, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation will have infused $3 million in funding to preserve historic buildings throughout New York.
“This program is designed to encourage community support for preservation and have the public rally behind their favorite historic places to help us determine where these funds are needed,” said Timothy J. McClimon, President of the American Express Foundation. “The sites’ dedication and persistence paid off and should prove to have a lasting effect on these historic places.”
“By spotlighting the benefits of historic preservation and the need for funding to keep historic sites vibrant, this program has galvanized New Yorkers to recognize the treasures in their communities,” said Stephanie Meeks, President, the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The long term benefits of the program are evident with the increased engagement of local preservationists by the historic sites through their web pages and social media channels, coupled with an increase in visitors to the sites themselves.”
For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org
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