Flanked by ArtQuest CEO Kassie Hilgert and Bethlehem Mayor William Reynolds, April 2 State Representative Steve Samuelson announced a nearly $1 million grant from the Multimodal Transportation Fund towards the new ArtsQuest Cultural Center.

Samuelson and Senator Lisa Boscola worked together toward securing this investment for Bethlehem’s new cultural center, slated to open October 2026.

The ArtsQuest Cultural Center will be a five-story educational art building, covering 78,500 square feet, featuring arts-based programming for all ages.

According to CEO Kassie Hilgert, the $900,000 grant will help ensure safety for pedestrians in the area, and those entering and exiting the building.

Samuelson addressed those safety concerns, emphasizing, “It’s for a lot of enhancements for pedestrian improvements, enhanced crosswalks, for lighting, for street trees. Basically, an overall improvement to the streetscapes.”

He pointed out the new pedestrian-friendly enhancements will connect to the area’s Greenway, “a centerpiece of our vibrant South Bethlehem for almost 20 years.”

“We can’t say thank you enough,” said Mayor Reynolds about the support Samuelson and Boscola have given the city, pointing out how this is an example of how working in collaboration with different levels of government benefits all residents.

Highlighting everything the city benefits from ArtsQuest, Reynolds made the point, “It’s about the community, it’s about kids, its about helping out our local artists, and the opportunity to make these investments would not be possible without institutions and organizations like ArtsQuest.”

The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to ensure safe and reliable transportation systems to communities.

Hilgert, Williams and Samuelson referred to the positive impact the grant will have for both the center and the city’s prosperity.

ArtQuest Cultural Center has now received $20 million of the projected $26 million needed for its completion.