Jun. 27, 2023 By Carlotta Mohamed
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic on Monday, June 26, announced an allocation of $250,000 for the renovation of Queens College’s Colden Auditorium at the Kupferberg Center for Arts.
The Colden Auditorium is located on the Queens College campus in Flushing and seats 2,100 people. Last year, Rozic attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Queens College’s new and improved athletic track and field, for which she allocated a $500,000 grant for its renovation.
The new investment will upgrade the auditorium’s advanced systems, installing new theatrical industry-standard equipment with updated lighting, theatrical rigging, video projections, and orchestral as well as choral systems.
These much-needed changes will ensure technical and safety demands are being met, serving a more diverse group of performers and audiences. It will also offer artists the opportunity to perform in an improved professional and top-quality venue.
“In supporting our community whenever possible, shaping great minds academically both inside and outside of the classroom, Queens College never wavers in its dedication as a strong community partner,” Rozic said. “That’s why I am thrilled to provide sustaining sponsorship of the cultural staple that is the Kupferberg Center for the Arts. With this new funding, the Colden Auditorium will continue to serve thousands of people each year, whether fans of an international performer or proud families attending graduation.”
Queens College President Frank Wu thanked Rozic for the funding to help renovate the auditorium.
“Many hundreds of thousands of Queens residents and beyond have utilized Colden, the largest such indoor venue in the county. We host concerts, commencements, speakers, theatrical productions and civic programs, reflecting the rich diversity of ‘The World’s Borough,’” Wu said. “The generous support of Assemblywoman Rozic will greatly assist in modernizing and maintaining this invaluable community asset.”
Kupferberg Center for the Arts Director Jon Yonofsky said the auditorium has been an important place for public gatherings since it first opened in the 1960s.
“Today, it is still a place where Queens come together. Assemblywoman Rozic’s funding will support critical renovations and upgrades to the auditorium’s technical and production capabilities. This will position Colden for ongoing success and relevance for years to come,” Yonofsky said.