Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that three Brooklyn cultural centers have received $14 million in New York state funding: the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN), Brooklyn Children’s Museum, and Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The funding, administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, will expand educational opportunities, support projects and workforce developments, create new job opportunities, and improve infrastructure throughout Brooklyn, according to an Oct. 30 statement from Hochul’s office.
“Brooklyn is home to vibrant cultural communities and institutions that create opportunities for New Yorkers to learn, grow, and thrive,” Hochul said. “This funding announcement will support projects that will directly expand access to our educational resources, strengthen cultural institutions, and ensure that communities across the borough continue to benefit from these investments for generations to come.”
The grant will allocate $5 million to HITN, a nonprofit Spanish language television program that produces educational content with a reach of more than 35 million viewers across the nation. HITN’s production capacity at the Brooklyn Navy Yard will expand by creating a 17,000-square-feet rooftop production facility and event center. The grant will simultaneously create new jobs and opportunities at HITN.
“By significantly expanding our studio’s production capabilities, we will strengthen our purpose: ‘Educa y Entretiene’ (Educate and Entertain),” said Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN) President and CEO Mike Nieves.
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum will receive $7 million to help create their Earth Science Garden, a year-round hands-on learning center, as well as facilitate infrastructure upgrades.
“With Governor Hochul’s support, we’re building Brooklyn’s first earth science learning garden,” said Brooklyn Children’s Museum President & CEO Atiba T. Edwards. “Children and families will learn about how the Ice Ages shaped the Brooklyn they enjoy each day. Every child deserves a place to discover how the world works, regardless of their ZIP code or family income.”
The Brooklyn Academy of Music will receive $2 million to help facilitate critical repairs and renovations to the Peter Jay Sharp Building. This includes fixing aging exterior conditions, water intrusion, and weather-related damages, ensuring safety and long-term preservation of the academy.
Brooklyn Academy of Music President Tamara McCaw said, “Every day, artists, staff, and community members rely on the Peter Jay Sharp Building for world-class performances, films, lectures, exhibitions, social events, civic gatherings, or sometimes just a place to rest during a bustling day. Since 1908, this building has welcomed generations of Brooklynites, and this funding will help us keep it strong for all of them. With the state’s support, we can make critical renovations that fortify the historic heart of our campus.”
According to New York State Dormitory Authority (DASNY) President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez, “These projects will help expand educational programming, create new opportunities for workforce development, and preserve important cultural spaces in Brooklyn. DASNY is proud to administer this funding and work with the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, and Brooklyn Academy of Music as they move these improvements forward.”
