The Adirondack Performing Arts Center (APAC): A Vision for Creative Revival in Ticonderoga
Adirondack Performing Arts Center
The Adirondack Performing Arts Center (APAC) is transforming the heart of downtown Ticonderoga into a year-round destination for arts, culture, and community connection. Housed in the historic Knights of Columbus building, APAC will fill a critical regional gap by offering dedicated performance, rehearsal, studio, and exhibition space in a restored landmark setting.
In June 2025, the North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC) officially purchased the building, marking a major milestone in this transformational project. With the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) contract now active, the architectural and engineering bid process is underway, and we expect to announce the selected design team in early August. We are on track for a fall 2025 groundbreaking, bringing APAC one step closer to reality.
This project is made possible through the generous support of the Charles R. Wood Foundation and the State of New York, whose investments are helping breathe new life into this iconic structure. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to revitalizing Ticonderoga’s cultural infrastructure and supporting regional economic development through the arts.
APAC is owned and operated by the North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC) in partnership with the Knights of Columbus and the Ticonderoga Festival Guild. Together, we are building a dynamic, inclusive performing arts center that will serve as a catalyst for creativity, education, and tourism across Essex County and beyond.
This effort is part of a larger creative placemaking movement underway in Ticonderoga, which includes public murals, sculpture installations, and seasonal arts programming designed to reimagine downtown spaces and reenergize our community. APAC will anchor this momentum and help shape a vibrant, culturally rich future.
See Our Walls Between Waters Public Art Initiative Recap Here!
Our Vision for APAC
- Third Floor: A professionally outfitted performance hall designed to host theater, film screenings, orchestras, jazz ensembles, ballet, big band, concerts, literary readings, and more. This flexible space will accommodate both local and touring talent from across the Northeast, making Ticonderoga a cultural destination for diverse audiences.
- Second Floor: Home to music and arts education programs, including private lesson studios, visual arts classrooms, a sound-insulated recording booth, and artist-in-residence suites. This floor will nurture the next generation of artists and creators.
- First Floor: Featuring a restored commercial kitchen and event space, operated by the Knights of Columbus, supporting local philanthropic programs and serving as a venue for catered performances, receptions, and workshops.
Why Your Support Matters
Your donation will directly support APAC’s operating fund, allowing us to hire key staff, implement a targeted marketing and outreach strategy, and prepare for a successful grand opening. This fund is essential to launching high-quality programs, sustaining year-round activity, and positioning Ticonderoga as a cultural destination.
By contributing, you are helping build more than a venue—you are investing in a long-term vision for creative placemaking, workforce development, and historic preservation.
Join us in bringing the Adirondack Performing Arts Center to life.
Together, we can make Ticonderoga a beacon for the arts—where history, innovation, and culture take center stage.
Thank you for your generosity and belief in our vision.