The Community School of Music & Arts is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a $50,000 Hometown Grant from T-Mobile! T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants Program is intended to support community projects in small towns across the United States. The grant money, awarded on June 24th, will go toward renovating and revitalizing our school’s historic downtown building on the corner of East State Street and Seneca Way in Ithaca. Our building – designed in 1928 – was the former site of the Fraternal Order of Eagles’ lodge, T.G. Miller’s Sons Paper Co., and a bowling alley, among others. Today, the building is buzzing with community art classes, gallery exhibits, performances, concerts, and workshops! Since acquiring the building (which once hosted performances by Billy Joel and Dizzy Gillespie, among others) in the 1990s, CSMA’s arts programming has continued to add to its artistic legacy. Office spaces on our second & fourth floors house Well Said Media, The Ink Shop, and Bread of Life Church with one 2,100 square foot office space remaining vacant due to renovation needs. The $50,000 Hometown Grant will allow CSMA to renovate the second floor office, complete a window restoration project, and make the historic space ready to rent. Our Executive Director Megan Omohundro has big plans for the space, explaining that “renovations will begin in late summer with the goal of adding a new tenant in the fall. CSMA is a landmark for the arts and entertainment in Tompkins County. I am looking forward to revitalizing the building and growing our impact.” Thanks to T-Mobile and to our community for their support and for celebrating this huge win with us!