$962,000 State Investment Will Help the Center Acquire New Equipment to Support Business Development, Job Training, and Youth Programming in East Buffalo
Builds on New York's $65 Million Placemaking Strategy to Revitalize East Buffalo
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a plan to upgrade the Apollo Media Center in East Buffalo to support job training, youth programming and media production. New equipment will allow the Apollo to expand media education to City residents who own a business and provide a safe creative outlet for young people to explore music and art, while also teaching skills in video production and coding to help familiarize them with media careers. A sample of the production work being done at the Apollo can be seen here.
"This investment will help to support the Apollo Media Center's media education programming as it continues to inspire young people and members of the Buffalo business community with a passion for video editing, graphics, and studio production," said Governor Hochul. "The Apollo has anchored the East Buffalo neighborhood for years - as a business development and education center, as a stepping stone to higher learning, and in the wake of last year's tragic shooting, as a hub for vital information and community resources. This project reaffirms the State's commitment to uplifting the people of East Buffalo and will ensure that the Apollo continues to play a role in this community in the years to come."
Currently, the Apollo Media Center offers classes in television technology, editing, photoshop, and digital design, but on a limited basis. Upgrades to Apollo's equipment will allow the Center to expand programming and further support business development, job training, youth programming and creative expression in East Buffalo. Additionally, residents will be able to use the upgraded studios to create educational content for the city's public access channel.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The equipment being provided to the Apollo Media Center will help students and residents learn the production skills and multi-media knowledge that is important to find jobs and grow businesses in today's economy. Students will have the opportunity to use cameras, editing booths and production studios to create impactful projects that shine a light on East Buffalo and all of its potential. We look forward to seeing the work of the students and the impact it will have on the community."