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Albany Institute of History & Art Awarded $1 Million in New York State Funding

The Albany Institute of History & Art (AIHA) has been awarded $1 million in New York State funding for capital projects through the 2026 State Budget, marking a significant investment in New York’s oldest museum and a cultural anchor in the heart of Albany.

On September 30, 2026, museum leadership, trustees, elected officials, and community partners gathered at the Albany Institute to celebrate the award and recognize the leadership of Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero in securing the funding. Remarks were offered by Romero; State Senator Patricia Fahy; City of Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs; Albany County Deputy County Executive Michael McLaughlin; and Albany Institute Executive Director Kayla Carlsen, with opening remarks by Alan P. Goldberg, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees of the Albany Institute of History & Art. The investment will support critical capital projects focused on the preservation, accessibility, and long-term sustainability of the Albany Institute’s historic campus and collections.

“I am so proud to support a $1 million investment in the Albany Institute because, for me, art and cultural institutions are the great equalizer,” said Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero. “The Albany Institute and our other cultural institutions make sure that people can come into these spaces, enjoy them, learn, and experience art in a way that is accessible. I’m hopeful this is the start of many new and exciting investments in arts and culture in the city.”

The investment will help the Albany Institute address long-term infrastructure needs across its historic campus while strengthening the museum’s ability to care for its collections, welcome visitors, and serve the community for generations to come.

“Capital investment is often the invisible part of a museum’s work, but it makes everything else possible: caring for collections, welcoming visitors, presenting exhibitions and programs, and serving the community,” said Kayla Carlsen, Executive Director of the Albany Institute of History & Art. “This investment will help us address critical capital needs while ensuring that the Institute remains accessible and thriving well into the future.”

The September 30 celebration brought together state, county, and city leaders in recognition of the investment and the Albany Institute’s role as a cultural and educational resource for the region. Speakers emphasized that the impact of the investment extends beyond the museum’s buildings and collections to the youth and families, students, and community members who experience the Institute every day.

“The Albany Institute—New York State’s oldest museum—has been preserving and celebrating our history and culture for more than 200 years, engaging our children and bringing that history to life,” said Senator Patricia Fahy. “Most of us understand the importance of our history, but if we don’t bring along the next generation, where would we be? I couldn’t be prouder to support the Albany Institute’s mission of keeping people engaged and helping them understand and appreciate our extraordinary history right here in the Capital Region.”

“The $1 million investment has a tangible impact,” said Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs. “It impacts the family who needs some relief and comes to sit on the lawn and listen to music after a stressful day at work. It impacts the children who come here and realize that they, too, are local citizens and have the opportunity to absorb all that is within these walls.”

“Our museums, libraries, parks, historic sites, and cultural institutions give people a reason to be proud to call Albany home,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “This investment is about making sure we take care of the institutions that matter to us and preserve them for the next generation.”

Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History & Art is New York’s oldest museum, with one of the largest collections of Hudson River School paintings, more than 25,000 objects, and over one million documents that demonstrate how the region’s history and culture are integral to the nation’s founding, development, and identity. This vibrant, dynamic center in the heart of the state’s capital welcomes thousands of visitors and researchers each year from around the world.

Visit albanyinstitute.org for more information.