As arts funding faces cutbacks across the country, local organizations in Sullivan County like The Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre (HPAC) are speaking out about what’s at stake.
While the Centre is also launching a campaign to revitalize the historic O&W Luzon Rail Station as a concurrent performing space, Lourdesa Hunt, Director of Development at HPAC and other arts leaders in the Catskills are calling on state and regional funders to move with urgency towards funding the arts.
Hunt spoke directly to the Sullivan County Legislature to recognize the vital role the arts play in preserving cultural heritage, boosting tourism, and fostering inclusive community spaces.
HPAC, along with several other organizations across the country have lost their funding opportunities from the federal level. After a May 2025 mandate, the Trump Administration has begun to terminate previously awarded National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant recipients and contracts for programs that fall outside of their “priorities.” According to Hunt, many of the programs terminated are those that highlight diversity, equity and inclusion.
“There are certain opportunities that we can no longer apply for, unless we were to do a complete reconfiguration of our mission, which is not something we’re willing to do,” said Hunt. “For many arts organizations, [diversity] is the mission because that is where we found our home. It’s been that voice for the underserved.”
While the amount of tourism to the Catskills, especially during the summer months, has not decreased, Hunt sees a shift away in priority from the arts and culture towards wellness resorts. Outside of support for major performing arts organizations in the region like the Forestburgh Playhouse and the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Hunt feels the county is turning away from its cultural legacy.
“ I know that they are also trying to walk that fine line of finding what will draw people to the area,” said Hunt. “But we need to decide what’s going to make people stay in the area or want to come back to the area. And I think arts and culture is what’s going to do that.”
New York state still prioritizes funding for the arts through grant awards and fellowships. The same month the Trump administration began removing NEA grants, Governor Hochul announced a renewed $81.5 million commitment to supporting arts and culture organizations across the state. Still, Hunt emphasizes that without federal and local grants, arts organizations in rural areas often have to make the difficult choice between providing affordable programming and paying their artists and employees.
“ We pride ourselves on making sure that our programming is as low cost or free wherever possible,” said Hunt. “[We want] to ensure that even in an economic downturn, that the arts don’t become something that is no longer accessible for everyone.”
Image: Outside the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre building (Photo Credit: Hurleyville Arts Facebook.com)