NYC Performing Arts Spaces is the only nonprofit organization that focuses solely on resolving performing artists' critical and on-going need for rehearsal and performance space. We take a multi-faceted approach, providing valuable free services to both performing artists who need suitable workspace and facilities that have underused space. This focus evolved from our beginnings over 20 years ago.

A Brief History

Established in 1982 as Exploring the Metropolis, we are a nonprofit, non-membership service organization. Until 2000, we worked on a per-project basis. Our mission was to serve as a neutral facilitator between public and private sector leaders on issues involving the impact of land use regulations on the performing arts, to enable each side to understand the opportunities and constraints of the other. In the 1980s, our efforts focused on zoning in the Theatre District. Our colloquies, some of which were interactive, became landmarks and our reports continue to be used by government officials and individuals in the private sector.

In the 1990s, we reported on the processes of theatre, recording and filmmaking in New York and ways in which government could provide more support to these communities. We also evaluated the City Planning Department's Special Purpose Districts and the Landmarks Commission's Historic Districts some 20 years after regulations established them. The City's economic development agency (formerly the Public Development Corp., renamed Economic Development Corp.) engaged us for two feasibility studies: (1) examining Kaufman-Astoria Studios and the American Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, as a prototype for a for-profit/nonprofit, public/private sector recording studio project, and (2) a potential culture and tourism center in a former jazz club in Harlem, focused on increasing visitation to Harlem and its cultural institutions.

Our activity led us to the thesis that the performing arts are complementary assets in which the built environment plays a pivotal role. Over and over we saw the need for stability, both to nurture performing artists and to stabilize the finances of cultural institutions. We saw the potential for providing a service that benefited both communities — a single resource that could assist performing artists searching for suitable workspace in New York City and that also enabled facilities to promote their underused space and earn extra income.

In 2000, we restructured, refocused and restated our mission:

To foster a vibrant and prolific performing arts community around shared resources of space and talent, to increase stability and growth within the artistic community, and to help broaden public access to the performing arts.

The Board approved two major objectives:

1. to launch a direct, on-going free service program, and
2. to use new technologies to promote the open sharing of work space resources

Thus Exploring the Metropolis became the only nonprofit organization that focuses solely on resolving performing artists' needs for workspace. Our 2006 name change to NYC Performing Arts Spaces underscores our mission and current programs.

The Websites

(A more detailed description can be found at Current Programs.)

The focus and prototype for our Internet services is NYC Music Spaces,* www.nycMusicSpaces.org, which debuted in mid-2001. This website provides a free database of rehearsal, audition and performance spaces suitable for instrumental and vocal musicians. It enables musicians to easily search for a space by its rental rate, size and/or location. Facility details and contact information are given for each space listing. Musicians find it reliable, easy to use, and time- and cost-saving. Users come not just from New York but from throughout the U.S. and abroad.

The first adaptation of the prototype is NYC Dance Spaces,* which provides a similar service for dancers living in and coming to New York. Launched in June 2003, www.nycDanceSpaces.org was designed to serve a dance community that ranges from classic to contemporary, ballet to modern, tap to jazz.

Completing our services to the performing arts, NYC Theatre Spaces, www.nycTheatreSpaces.org, debuted in March 2007. In addition to theatre, it also serves the needs of New York's literary community, enabling them to find spaces suitable for readings.

* The original names of these websites included the word "Places," which was changed to "Spaces" in January 2006.

The Organization

Operations: We have a staff of five professionals with expertise in the performing arts, uses of new technology and a contemporary approach to marketing and information exchange. We have a creative team of website design and development consultants and engage other consultants as needed. Each program involves other organizations as strategic partners.

Finances and Funding: Financial information, including 2006 Income and Expenditures, the most recent 990, and a budget for 2007 are available on request from eugeniec@nycPASpaces.org. Our work is supported by website advertising, government agencies, foundations and individuals.

Board: We are expanding our board of directors to guide and support our goals and activities.

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