Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Receives $4 Million from Town of Southampton Community Preservation Fund

The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC) is proud to announce that it has been awarded $4 million in funding from the Town of Southampton’s Community Preservation Fund (CPF). The grant, which is supported by revenue from home sales within the town, will be dedicated to major capital projects and enhancements that ensure the continued growth and sustainability of this vital community institution. “Years in the making, this investment marks a transformative moment for the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center,” says Julienne Penza-Boone, the theatre’s Executive Director. “With these funds, we will be able to make long-term improvements that not only enhance the patron and artist experience but also elevate our capacity to bring in world-class talent to our stage.”

The process began in 2019 with the support of then-Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. Penza-Boone worked closely with Julie Greene, Southampton Town Historian, to uncover the theatre’s full history from its construction to when it became a performing arts center. From there, the theater entered into an Intermunicipal Agreement on August 16, 2023. The Landmarks & Historic Districts Board voted unanimously to recognize the historic importance of both the building itself and the theatre’s cultural impact to the Town of Southampton. This was accomplished with the enthusiastic support of then-Westhampton Beach Mayor Maria Moore and the WHB Village Trustees; the theatre was ultimately designated as a Landmark by the Town of Southampton on October 10, 2023. Penza-Boone and longtime WHBPAC-representative attorney Jim Hulme worked closely with Community Preservation Fund Director Jacqueline Fenlon and Assistant Town Attorney Daniel McCormick over a number of months to present the case for Community Preservation to the Southampton Town Board.

Fenlon introduced a public hearing to consider the acquisition of a Historic Preservation and Conservation Easement, and grant of Restrictive Use Easement and an accompanying Public Access Agreement on the property known as the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Inc. She commented on public access and program benefits, noting the Town’s goal to retain anchors on hamlet main streets. On June 23, 2025, the Southampton Town Council voted unanimously to award Community Preservation Funds to the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center.

Says Fenlon, Director of the Community Preservation Fund: “The Town Board and the Town of Southampton’s Community Preservation Department is delighted to have assisted in the preservation of the existing historic facade of the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC), which involved collective efforts among the Village of Westhampton Beach and the Town’s Landmarks & Historic Districts Board who all played an instrumental role in accomplishing this historic preservation objective. This initiative aimed to maintain the architectural integrity of the iconic building, a central feature of Main Street in Westhampton Beach. Beyond the facade preservation easement, the Town’s collaborative negotiation of the restrictive use agreement aligns with the broader goal of preserving WHBPAC as a vital gathering space for diverse cultural programs and events, and ensuring this community anchor is preserved for generations to come.”

Since its founding, WHBPAC has been a cultural anchor for the East End, drawing audiences from across Long Island and beyond. The theatre’s year-round programming — including concerts, films, comedy, arts education, and community events — generates significant economic activity for the downtown business district, supporting restaurants, shops, and tourism. This award will enable WHBPAC to launch a new phase of development, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, accessibility improvements, and innovative technical enhancements that will allow the organization to attract higher-profile artists and expand its reach within the regional arts landscape.

“This funding not only secures the future of an iconic cultural landmark,” adds James Kuhn, WHBPAC Board Chairman, “but strengthens the heartbeat of downtown Westhampton Beach. A thriving performing arts center brings people, energy, and opportunity to our community.”

Says Penza-Boone: “Receiving this Community Preservation Funding affirms the value of the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center as both a historical landmark and as a community resource that has continuously and consistently served Town of Southampton residents over our 27 years of existence. The funds will be used to ensure that the theatre will remain a cultural beacon for the East End for generations to come! We are so humbled, and so excited for what’s to come!”