The North Fork Arts Center marked the start of its third summer season Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating a major round of building upgrades, new leadership and an ambitious vision for the future of the historic theater at the center of downtown Greenport.
The reopening of the Sapan Greenport Theatre comes after the completion of the second phase of a multi-year renovation project that included the installation of a new ADA-compliant elevator, upgraded HVAC system, accessible seating and renovated first-floor bathrooms. NFAC officials also announced the acquisition of a new Steinway Model B piano, which leaders described as a major investment in the organization’s growing music programming. The elevator was donated by the Israel family and Nasatasi Architects.
$500,000 upgrade
The improvements were funded in part through a $100,000 Empire State Development grant, with additional support from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, according to a press release issued by the organization.
“We are so proud to kick off our third year as the North Fork Arts Center at the Sapan Greenport Theater with significant capital improvements, a deeper commitment to our music program, and a new team ready to take us in the future,” NFAC founder Tony Spiridakis said. “We could not have accomplished this without our generous donors. Thanks to them we were able to raise over $500,000 to complete phase two.”
The theater, originally opened in 1939 as the Greenport Theatre, is one of the North Fork’s most recognizable cultural landmarks. The current building replaced an earlier theater destroyed during the devastating 1938 Hurricane.
The venue entered a new chapter in 2023, when former AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan agreed to donate the historic theater rather than sell it for redevelopment, provided organizers could establish a nonprofit arts organization and raise $1 million in pledges to support its future operations.
That effort was spearheaded by Spiridakis, a filmmaker and playwright who founded NFAC with the goal of transforming the aging theater into a year-round cultural hub offering films, live performances, educational programming and community events. The nonprofit officially opened the arts center in 2024 after taking ownership of the building.
From left: Southold Town Board members Brian Mealy and Alexa Suess were on hand to help celebrate the reopening with new NFAC executive director Alison Omens and Tony Spiridakis, NFAC founder and board chair. (Rob Lehmann photo)
Alison Omens named new NFAC executive director
Friday’s reopening also marked a significant leadership transition.
Spiridakis announced he is stepping down as executive director while remaining chairperson of the organization’s board of directors. Alison Omens, who joined NFAC earlier this year as director of strategic and organizational development, has been named the organization’s new executive director.
Omens previously served as president of JUST Capital and held senior policy and communications roles, including advising the U.S. Secretary of Labor during the Obama administration. She and her family have lived in Greenport for six years.
“In the last three years, the North Fork Arts Center has become an integral part of this community — a place where people come together not just to experience meaningful art, but to connect with each other,” Omens said in a statement. “I’m incredibly honored to help lead its next chapter.”
Following completion of the second phase of renovations, the organization is now preparing to launch a third capital campaign aimed at further expanding and modernizing the building. Planned future improvements include additional second-floor development and more technological and structural upgrades designed to preserve the theater for future generations.
NFAC leaders have positioned the arts center as both a cultural institution and an economic driver for Greenport’s downtown business district, particularly during the quieter offseason months when tourism slows.
Long Island Regional Economic Development Council co-chairs Linda Armyn and Dr. Kimberly Cline said in the release that the arts center is helping drive “year-round economic activity and cultural vitality on the East End.”