CLAYTON OPERA HOUSE
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    • Patron Membership
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    • Rental Rates
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    • Mission, Vision, and History
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Volunteers
    • Messages from our Staff/Board >
      • NYSCA Grants awarded to the Clayton Opera House
      • From the Board President
      • From the Executive Director
      • From the Technical Director
      • From the Box Office
      • From the Marketing Coordinator
      • From the Volunteer Committee
MISSION
We ensure that the performing arts thrive in the Thousand Islands Region


VISION
We will be a recognized leader in performing arts education and programming in the Thousand Islands communities.


VALUE STATEMENT
We believe the performing arts enrich the quality of life in our community.

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About Us (History)

Historic Performance Hall and Community Center
The Clayton Opera House, a Nationally Registered Historic Place, is a stately four-story brick structure overlooking the St. Lawrence River in downtown Clayton, New York. The Opera House has served as an important hub for cultural and community events for over a century and is a fine example of the vaudeville theaters which sprung up throughout the United States in the early 1900s. In addition to being a performance venue, the building's previous tenants have included a library, furniture store and funeral parlor, jewelry and clothing stores, beauty salon, the Thousand Islands Museum, Antique Boat Museum, Handweaving Museum, and Chamber of Commerce.

Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund (TIPAF)/Town of Clayton Partnership
In 2003, the Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund (TIPAF) and the Town of Clayton contractually agreed upon the renovation and revival of the Opera House. TIPAF raised $3,275,000 for the 2007 renovation of the facility and now manages the ongoing operations of the Opera House. With government offices on the lower level, the Town of Clayton owns the building, has dedicated it in perpetuity as a performance and community center, and is responsible for the maintenance, repair and utilities costs of the facility.

Clayton Opera House Activities and Support
The revived and renovated Clayton Opera House is the year-round performance center for the region and is used for a wide range of cultural, educational, social and community events. In a given year, the opera house attendance is typically anywhere between 12,000-15,000. The operations of the venue are supported by three main revenue sources:


  • Private Contributions: TIPAF solicits contributions annually from private individuals (Patrons of the Opera House) and corporations and foundations (Season Sponsors) for year-round programming at the Opera House. These private sector contributions ensure that exciting and enriching performances occur in the Summer Season and year-round thereby enhancing the area’s cultural life and stimulating the local economy.
  • Earned Income: In addition, TIPAF receives ticket sales and facilities rental income which is used to support the administrative operations of TIPAF and the Opera House. This income is sufficient to cover all operations except for the cost of utilities, maintenance and repairs.
  • Public Support: The Town of Clayton pays for the cost of utilities (fuel, electricity, water and sewer) and for the maintenance and repair of the building and its systems. This public support has been essential to the success of the Opera House and allows TIPAF to concentrate its resources on superior programming which further enhances the reputation and use of the facility.


Thanks to All Supporters
TIPAF and the Town of Clayton are extremely grateful to the private individuals, foundations, and corporations and the taxpayers of the Town of Clayton who each year support the programming, operations and upkeep of the historic Clayton Opera House.  All these supporters are critical investors in the culture, quality of life and economy of our region.
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Physical Address:
403 Riverside Drive
Clayton, NY 13624


Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 123
Clayton, NY 13624

Contact
Box Office: 315-686-2200
[email protected]
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Admin Offices: 315-686-1037

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Box Office Hours
Open: Tuesday- Friday
11:00am - 5:00pm
The Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund, Inc. (doing business as the Clayton Opera House) is a United States 501c3 nonprofit organization.
​Federal EIN: 22-2317579
. State Exempt Organization Number: 166222.
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  • Home
  • Calendar of Events
  • Venue Info
    • Box Office Info
    • Seating Chart
    • Location
    • FAQ's
  • Arts in Education
  • Support Us
    • Patron Membership
    • Establish Your Encore
    • Business Sponsors and Supporters
  • Facility Rentals
    • Rental Rates
    • Technical Info
  • About Us
    • Employment
    • Mission, Vision, and History
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Volunteers
    • Messages from our Staff/Board >
      • NYSCA Grants awarded to the Clayton Opera House
      • From the Board President
      • From the Executive Director
      • From the Technical Director
      • From the Box Office
      • From the Marketing Coordinator
      • From the Volunteer Committee