NACC shines brightly

The Express had the privilege of visiting the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center on Wednesday for a fundraising luncheon.

The former Niagara Falls High School needs a ton of love and it is getting it. It also needs help with its operating budget. The facility barely breaks even.

The good news is the red door is now ADA compliant. Bathroom renovations are ongoing.

An $8.5 million state investment is at the core of a total makeover of the theater as well with the help of Empire State Development and the Wilson Foundation.

Guests were invited to join the “Sculpting the Future Society,” by making a 5-year pledge to support the facility.

An alumni committee has been formed to support the century-old building.

Guests also enjoyed a screening of Dave Riffel’s most recent NACCumentary.

At the end of the luncheon, board vice chair Ned Perlman announced to the gathering that Jennifer Pauly has been hired as the new executive director to lead the community asset into the future.

Pauly is a fixture in Lewiston as President of the Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Lewiston Jazz Festival.

A formal announcement should be coming within a few days.