The Ashokan Center has received a $145,000 state grant to help design a new arts and education lodge at its 385-acre campus in Olivebridge.

The grant was awarded June 2 through the New York State Council on the Arts’ Capital Projects Fund, which distributed $82.2 million to 132 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations across New York. The funding will pay for architectural and engineering plans for the lodge, as well as grant applications to help cover its construction, said Sara Trapani, the center’s chief fundraising officer.

The lodge will house seasonal educators and visiting artists, and will provide space for programs that have been run out of Winchell’s Inn, the 1785 building that serves as the Ashokan Center’s centerpiece. The inn is slated for renovations, and the energy-efficient lodge would also allow the center to expand its programming.

“It’s really important to the center’s ability to house our outdoor educators as well as visiting artists that are coming here for music and dance camps and festivals and public events,” said Trapani, who hopes the project will begin next summer.

The Ashokan Center, a nonprofit arts, culture, and outdoor education center, hosts field trips for students, as well as weddings, dance and music festivals, and cultural events.

“Things that are good for the Ashokan Center are good for the area and the region,” said Kathy Nolan, the Ulster County legislator for District 22, which includes the Ashokan Reservoir. “It’s a real resource for the entire community.”

The center is also working to install a new pavilion and replace its office and health center with a sustainable building.

“It’s great to think that they’ll be able to have the funding to design a modern building,” Nolan said. “This gives them more flexibility to do renovations and to expand their programming.”

Kyle Bredberg is an intern and contributing reporter. You can reach him at reporting@theoverlooknews.com.