The Center
at West Park
a community
performing arts
center
in the historic
West Park Presbyterian Church,
a new york city landmark
The Center at West Park is a secular, 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. We present engaging and boundary-pushing early-career and established artists through our artist residency programs, provide affordable rental space for artists to develop their work, and steward the restoration of our historic home’s landmark exterior.
Programs
The Center’s artist residencies create opportunities for performing artists of diverse backgrounds to develop and perform boundary-pushing new work.
Our seasonal performances and festivals connect adventurous audiences with some of New York City’s most exciting and engaging artists.
We nurture the next generation of leaders in arts administration through our fellowship program.
Find out more below:
Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s Julius Caesar (2018)
Performing Artist Residencies
Our Performing Artist Residency Program nurtures exemplary and boundary-pushing theater, dance, opera, puppetry, and multi- and inter-disciplinary artists and companies by providing free performance space, subsidized rehearsal space, and a 50/50 split of ticket sales. We support the creation of new works and the re-working of classic source materials in contemporary contexts in order to diversify and enrich the performing arts community of New York and to attract and challenge enthusiastic and adventurous audiences.
Antrak by Shayna Strype (2018)
Object Movement
Object Movement is a curated festival and developmental residency for puppeteers and object theater artists, culminating in a May festival of new short and full-length works. The residency supports the vital and innovative puppetry community in New York and calls attention to how this ancient and global art form speaks to urgent contemporary social concerns and artistic questions. Curated by Maiko Kikuchi, Rowan Magee, and Justin Perkins.
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Furnace Festival
The Furnace Festival is a workshop forum for incendiary new plays, developed in residence at The Center at West Park. Participants are given one week in the Center’s Sanctuary Space a 50/50 split of ticket sales, and up to 20 additional hours of free rehearsal space to forge a new play in the fiery heat of New York in August, culminating in two workshop performances on Friday and Saturday nights.
Center staff at 2018 Glitz & Grit Benefit Night
Arts Leaders Fellowships
The Center at West Park’s Arts Leaders Fellowship Program is an opportunity for early career arts professionals to build skills and experience while working closely with the Center’s staff, learning about non-profit administration, and shaping the direction of a new performing arts center.
Support
the Center
The mission of The Center at West Park is made possible by donations from people like you. Your donation will support our work to create a more inclusive artistic community on the Upper West Side and in all New York City. We are deeply grateful for your support.
The Center at West Park, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
Donations to The Center at West Park, Inc. are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Landmark
Restoration Plan
The Center is partnering with the New York Landmarks Conservancy and award-winning preservation architect Page Ayres Cowley to develop a plan for restoring West Park’s 1889 edifice.
The first stage of the plan includes repairing the Community House roof to prevent further damage, followed by a Feasibility Study and Pilot Project. Full restoration will include restoring the masonry and windows, adding accessible entrances, and removing the sidewalk shed on Amsterdam Avenue and West 86th Street.