Funding will strengthen operations, expand education and community engagement initiatives, and support the Palace Theatre’s once-in-a-century Centennial celebration.
Westmoreland Cultural Trust, a Greensburg-based 501(c)(3) organization and the largest arts and cultural nonprofit serving Westmoreland County and the Laurel Highlands region, has been awarded a $350,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to support general operations during the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The funding will help sustain staff salaries and benefits, cover essential utility and maintenance expenses, and provide the operational foundation necessary to deliver the high-quality programs and services the community has come to expect from the Trust. It will also advance key priorities outlined in the Trust’s Three-Year Strategic Plan (2025–2027), strengthening the organization’s long-term sustainability while supporting a broad range of artistic, educational, and community initiatives.
The investment will further bolster the Trust’s Education and Engagement efforts (championed by The Academy at Westmoreland Cultural Trust), enabling the expansion of community outreach and programming that serves audiences throughout the region, including diverse and underserved populations. This includes the launch of new initiatives such as the Trust’s inaugural All-County Musical, which will provide expanded opportunities for students from across the region to participate in high-quality performing arts experiences.
The award arrives at a historic moment as Westmoreland Cultural Trust celebrates the 100th anniversary of its flagship venue, The Palace Theatre, which first opened as The Manos Theatre on September 2, 1926. Support from the grant will also help underwrite costs associated with the Palace Theatre’s Centennial celebration. As part of the Centennial, the Trust will host a community time capsule dedication on the exact date of the theatre’s 100th anniversary, inviting residents to commemorate a century of shared memories and cultural impact.
The Centennial festivities will continue with a special Centennial Celebration Weekend featuring Grammy Award-winning artist LeAnn Rimes, making her first Pittsburgh-area performance in seven years. The weekend will include a Grand Gala on Saturday, September 19, followed by a public concert on Sunday, September 20, bringing together the community to celebrate both the Palace Theatre’s remarkable legacy and Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s vision for the future.
“This investment from the Richard King Mellon Foundation provides critical support for every aspect of our mission during one of the most significant periods in our organization’s history,” said Benjamin Luczak, CEO of Westmoreland Cultural Trust. “Building on the momentum created through the Foundation’s previous support, we have strengthened our leadership team, enhanced operational oversight, and expanded our capacity to serve the community in new and meaningful ways. It allows us to sustain the talented team members who make our work possible, maintain and preserve the facilities entrusted to our care, expand educational and community engagement opportunities, and continue advancing the strategic priorities that will shape our future. As we celebrate the Palace Theatre’s Centennial, this funding not only honors a century of service to our community, but also helps ensure that Westmoreland Cultural Trust remains a strong and sustainable resource for generations to come.”
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About the Richard King Mellon Foundation
Founded in 1947, the Richard King Mellon Foundation is the largest foundation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and one of the 50 largest in the world. The Foundation’s 2025 year-end net assets were $3.3 billion, and its Trustees in 2025 disbursed more than $167 million in grants and program-related investments. The Foundation focuses its funding on six primary program areas, delineated in its 2021-2030 Strategic Plan.
About Westmoreland Cultural Trust (WCT)
Westmoreland Cultural Trust is a Greensburg, PA-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to be a conduit for communities to thrive. We do so by welcoming broad forms of artistic expression, forging purposeful partnerships and programming meaningful arts education and engagement activities. We seek to engage, empower, and serve the community through consequential programming, arts education, and cultural experiences for all. More information about WCT can be found at: www.westmorelandculturaltrust.org