Project Updates
MIFA Victory Theatre announces a $1 million grant from community philanthropists!
Long-time MIFA supporters John and Elizabeth Armstrong recently pledged a
$1 Million Dollar Gift to the Victory Theatre Project!
"The generosity the Armstrongs have shown MIFA Victory Theatre is beyond words. They bestow such uplifting support for the arts in our community, and MIFA is lucky to call them friends." - Donald Sanders
Victory Theatre Mural Exhibit
Photos by Don Treeger / The Republican 3/8/2023
This muralist lifted Holyoke’s spirits during World War II; the fight today is to bring his works back to life, By Dennis Hohenberger | Special to The Republican, Updated: Mar. 10, 2023, 11:31 a.m. | Published: Mar. 08, 2023, 6:41 p.m., Masslive.com
Western Mass Delegation Visit Victory
Masslive.com Photo Gallery
By Don Treeger | dtreeger@repub.com
Holyoke Victory Theater project gets support from Western Massachusetts legislators
Updated: Jan. 23, 2023, 7:28 p.m. | Published: Jan. 23, 2023, 7:21 p.m.\
By Dennis Hohenberger | Special to The Republican
HOLYOKE – “This isn’t a Holyoke project. It’s a Western Massachusetts regional project,” Mayor Joshua A. Garcia told a delegation of state legislators who visited the long-shuttered Victory Theater today. “I’m hoping we can be strategic and specific and focused as possible to figure out how to close (the funding) gap.” READ MORE
Victory Theater tour brings hope for Holyoke arts, economic development
WWLP22 News, January 23, 2023
Mayor Joshua Garcia of Holyoke explored one of his city’s most pleasant possibilities on Monday.
Business West: A Year In Review
Year In Review
By George O'Brien, December 23, 2022
Victory Theatre Project Gains Momentum
Holyoke officials and groups involved with the arts have been engaged in efforts to try to revitalize the historic Victory Theatre for more than 40 years now. And while this initiative still has a ways to go before it can cross the goal line, some significant progress was seen this past year...
Holyoke pledges $2 million to Victory Theatre
The Reminder - WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS
Jan. 3, 2023 | Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE – Efforts to renovate and reopen Holyoke’s Victory Theatre gained a key bonus from Mayor Joshua Garcia and the city of Holyoke as the mayor announced an additional $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding will go toward the project: READ MORE
Photo credit: Trent Levakis, Reminder Publishing
State Sen. John Velis talks about collaboration for the Victory Theatre project alongside State Rep. Patricia Duffy (center left), Mayor Joshua Garcia (left) and Project Manager Susan Palmer (right).
Holyoke pitching in $2M for Victory Theatre redevelopment
By Chad Cain, Managing Editor | Daily Hampshire Gazette
Published: 12/23/2022 2:37:41 PM
The Victory Theatre restoration project received a $2 million boost this week when Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia announced that the city would allocate $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act money. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
HOLYOKE — The ambitious, $61 million effort to reopen the Broadway-style Victory Theatre moved $2 million closer to becoming reality this week after the city made a significant commitment of American Rescue Plan Act money for the project in its downtown. READ MORE
Holyoke using $2M for Victory Theatre project
by: Ashley Shook | WWLP-22News
Posted: Dec 22, 2022 / 03:00 PM EST | Updated: Dec 22, 2022 / 11:14 PM EST
A news conference was held in the Mayor’s Office at Holyoke City Hall Thursday with State Representative Pat Duffy, State Senator John Velis and the team from the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts (MIFA) to share updates on the Victory Theatre restoration project. The Suffolk Street 1,600-seat theatre dates back to the 1920s and has been closed since 1979.
Press Release: Holyoke Mayor Pledges ARPA Funding for Victory Theatre Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2022
Contact: Linda Matys O’Connell
Cell: 610-295-3125
Holyoke Mayor Pledges ARPA Funding
for Victory Theatre Project
“The return of the Victory Theatre will be epic”
HOLYOKE, MA – In another milestone of momentum for the effort to reopen the historic MIFA Victory Theatre in downtown Holyoke, Mayor Joshua A. Garcia announced his commitment of $2 million to the project through the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding process. Citing thoughts he said are “swirling around” the community campaign to reopen the theater – “crown jewel, cultural enrichment, community engagement, downtown revitalization, energy” – Garcia said, “The return of the Victory Theatre will be epic.”