Federal Shuttered Venue Operating Grant Awards More Than $10 Million to Proctors Collaborative

SCHENECTADY — Proctors Collaborative CEO Philip Morris sent a letter to donors and subscribers this week announcing that Proctors and Capital Repertory Theatre will receive more than $10 million in funding from the federal government’s Shuttered Venue Operating Grant (SVOG) program. The program is administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) – a program “due in large part to Sen. Chuck Schumer’s efforts to support the Arts, not only in New York State, but around the country,” Morris said.

Proctors Collaborative -which includes universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs – has been closed to performances and audiences since March 2020 due to Covid-19. 

The closure cost the organizations approximately $330,000 per month for minimal staffing, heating, cooling, insurance, and ongoing repairs of the historic properties, Morris said. In total, the 16-month closure has cost about $5.3 million. 

“Many months ago, we estimated it would take a minimum of $14 million to Restart Proctors Collaborative. This included money to reimburse our used funds from the costs of closure, as well as the money needed to rehire people and to restock our buildings so we may begin to have an audience and earn revenue again. Over 2,100 (contributors) have contributed over $3 million to this enormous effort,” Morris said, in a statement.

“While we are still awaiting word for Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga, Proctors will receive $9,423,671.85 and theRep will receive $709,169.86. While both are somewhat below what we expected, they are significant recovery dollars that together with what many of you have donated brings us to within $870,000 of our original goal.”