Residents of Upper Manhattan will have a large cultural center with a theater included, among other spaces.
It will be directed by immigrants in order to make their stories known through art. The project is under construction thanks to private funds, the support of non-profit organizations, local and state governments, and also artists like Lin-Manuel Miranda, a son of Washington Heights.
“This is going to be the largest Latin theater in all of New York. It will be the first managed by a Dominican, by an immigrant. And our stories are important,” said Mino Lora, executive and artistic director of The People’s Theatre.
From Upper Manhattan, in Inwood, where a large Latino population is concentrated, elected officials, local leaders and artists shared a first look at The People’s Theater: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, a 19,000-square-foot complex that promises to be the theater largest Latino in the city.
It is located at 407 West and 206th Street and on Wednesday, it was announced that the project has managed to raise 30 of the 37 million dollars that the center requires, thanks to private, state and municipal investment.
“Art and drama can return us to common ground to deepen our understanding of each other’s experiences,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
The president announced a contribution of 4 million dollars that will be administered by the State Dormitory Authority.
The complex, which will be mixed-use, will include 698 apartments, 281 of which will be affordable housing. As for the artistic center, it will have:
A flexible midsize theater, performance space, rehearsal studios, soundproof practice room and gallery.
“This is a true dream come true for the many artists who grew up in Washington Heights and Inwood,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda, actor and founder of the Familia Miranda Fund.
Miranda, star and creator of successful works such as ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Hamilton’, spoke on behalf of the Miranda Family Fund, which donated one million dollars to the project. New York Presbyterian Hospital pitched in with another million dollars.
And for its part, the local administration gave an important contribution.
“It is an honor to be able to represent this community and support this project. This project is carried out with 15 million dollars. One that the city invested here for construction. But in addition to that, this year we were able to add 8.5 million more from the City Council,” said Councilwoman (D) for Manhattan, Carmen de la Rosa.
The center expects to welcome about 28,000 people each year through its original productions, all developed by migrants and artists of color, in addition to education and social activism programs.
“Something we are most excited about is that we at People’s Theater believe that we are all artists, we are all activists. So José from the winery may be selling coffee here, but at night he comes to perform with us,” Mino Lora added.
The Immigrant Cultural Center will be opening its doors in 2026.
2023-10-26 16:01:00
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