New York Sate Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) today announced the state will award the Italian American Museum $1 million in funding to help the museum complete construction of its new headquarters at 151 Mulberry Street in historic Little Italy.

"Whether in government, business, public safety or in the arts, Italian Americans have been integral in building and strengthening New York State. I'm proud to honor the legacy and heritage of New York's Italian American community, the largest in the United States, by announcing $1 million in state funding to help complete construction of the Italian American Museum in Little Italy, said Governor Hochul.

“As we build back our economy, my administration is fully committed to supporting New York’s diverse communities and embracing our rich cultural heritage."

The Governor made the announcement during a meeting with Italian American community leaders at her New York City office, where she also commemorated St. Joseph’s Day (March 19) a culturally important date for those of Italian heritage.

The new museum will be a four-story structure adjacent to a new condominium project at the corner of Grand and Mulberry Streets. It is scheduled to open to the public later this year.

“We are extremely grateful to Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of preserving Little Italy’s past by looking to the future,” said Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa, founder and president of the Italian American Museum. “This generous gesture will go far in helping to create a world-class cultural institution that will serve as a community cultural anchor.”

The museum will feature both permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as lectures, presentations, and performances.

Founded in 2001, the Italian American Museum is dedicated to exploring the rich cultural heritage of Italy and Italian Americans by presenting the individual and collective struggles and achievements of Italians and their heirs to the American way of life. The Museum received its provisional charter from the New York State Board of Regents on June 12, 2001 and is a 501(c)(3) organization.