East Harlem Theater and Cultural District
About This Study
Program Overview: For nearly 130 years, Union Settlement has expanded opportunities in East Harlem through comprehensive programs that help underserved residents improve their skills and build better lives for themselves and their families.
Building on those efforts, hand in hand with East Harlem’s leading arts institutions and artists, the Feasibility Study for the East Harlem Theater and Cultural District assesses how we can create a thriving cultural hub that not only celebrates and extends our artistic legacy but also drives economic growth. It explores the demand for theaters and cultural spaces, evaluates financial sustainability, and provides a roadmap for revitalizing and repurposing existing spaces to benefit our community.
The opportunity before us now is to elevate awareness of our rich culture to ensure sustainability and economic development for our people without contributing to the gentrification that threatens the very soul of our community.
The theater and cultural district must align with the community’s vision, serve our residents, and become a beacon for visitors. It must reflect the voices of East Harlem, the artists, the performers, the business owners, and the residents, so that it is a true celebration of our culture, not an import from outside forces.
This approach to economic development—reflected in the inclusive, four-month stakeholder engagement process that identified the shared values and informed the recommendations presented herein—doesn’t displace but rather elevates our community, creating opportunities that honor the contributions and aspirations of the people who have long made East Harlem their home.
This project is about creating a pathway to end generational poverty by growing a thriving local economy centered around arts and culture. A theater and cultural district attracts tourism, bringing in new revenue and jobs. It elevates the profile of local businesses, restaurants, shops, and galleries, all while providing platforms for local talent to shine on a larger stage.
With this study, with you, we have the chance to shape the future of East Harlem, not just as a cultural district, but as a model for economic development that lifts and sustains us and ensures that East Harlem will continue to thrive for generations to come.
