Upper Manhattan is one of the areas of the Big Apple with the greatest Latino and immigrant presence, and starting in 2026, Inwood will not only become the neighborhood that houses its own home for the arts, but will see the rise of an entire cultural and entertainment complex. housing within the reach of a community, which for years has been clamoring for a space to tell their stories.
That was the message that community leaders, politicians, artists and residents of the populous Hispanic neighborhood, with a large Dominican presence, sent this Wednesday, after announcing with great fanfare that on 206th Street, with Avenida 10, a mega project is being built that will serve stage for artists, under the direction of the People’s Theater Project, a group that has long made art in the northern part of Manhattan.
“This is a dream come true. Here we are sending a clear message that we are here as Latinos and we deserve this and more. This is going to be the largest Latin theater in New York and the first managed by a Dominican, by an immigrant like me,” said Mino Lora, director of The People’s Theater Project. “Our stories are important, we Latinos are the ones who run this city and the ones who make it work. “This is a significant moment for us, especially when they want to portray us as the enemies and in reality we are the heart of this city.”
The cultural promoter added that the multi-story complex, which will also have a theater for 200 people, a Dominican Cultural Center, museums, educational programs for youth and adults, staged readings, dances, and art galleries for immigrant artists, will mark the beginning of the next era of Washington Heights. “We want it to become a stage visited as much as Broadway in which our people will also be able to participate. José, the man who sells coffee in the winery, will come to perform at night, as will Doña Carmen and Doña María, because here we believe that we are all artists and we all have a story to tell, stories that are valuable and deserve a space where to be counted.”
The governor, Kathy Hochul, who was at the announcement, held outdoors next to the construction site, assured that it is time for the immigrant and Latino community of New York to see works and staging personified by themselves, and not as in other times happened with classics like West Side Story, which although it sought to show Latin culture, lacked Hispanic actors.
“Immigrants have stories to tell and we are recognizing that the stories of Latinos are stories of Americans who cross the nation and that need to be heard, they are powerful stories, and although for now we only see dust and concrete in this construction, of “The magic and the flower of art will come out here,” said the president, whose office contributed $4 of the $30 million that has been raised to carry out the project.[onyquenecesitanserescuchadassonhistoriaspoderosasyaunqueporahorasoloveamospolvoyconcretoenestaconstruccióndeaquísaldrálamagiaylaflordelarte”asegurólamandatariacuyaoficinacontribuyócondelosmillonesquesehanrecaudadoparasacaradelanteelproyecto
Mino Lora, Dominican, director of The People’s Theater Project. Photo: Edwin Martinez
Lin-Manuel Miranda, from the Miranda Family Fund, which is collaborating with the project with $1 million, assured that the new arts complex will be a dream come true that hundreds of artists from Upper Manhattan have longed for, like him, who recalled that when he had his first role in theater, he had to travel to the south of the county.
“It is a great pride that today we begin the construction of The People’s Theater: Immigrant Cultural Centers, here in northern Manhattan. It’s no secret that our family loves this neighborhood. This is because northern Manhattan is a vibrant and hard-working community of diverse creators, makers and promoters, all seeking to share their stories,” commented the renowned artist, who was only at the event for a few minutes, but generated excitement among residents of the neighborhood who came to say hello.
“Theater is about community and offers a space where art, culture and identity converge. “Our uptown neighborhood is more than ready to have a permanent home for its theater professionals, to nurture and showcase countless generations of storytellers and stories to come,” added the composer and actor.
The president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian, Dr. Steven J. Corwin, who also contributed $1 million to the cultural complex, assured that the community is looking forward to the inauguration of the place, which will have a positive impact not only among residents of the Upper Manhattan but also the rest of the Big Apple.
“This will be a space where community members can come together to create meaningful social connections, create a sense of belonging, and help enrich the community and New York City through the arts,” the doctor stressed.
State Senator José M. Serrano, who worked for a long time in the world of theater, and who currently serves as chairman of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation of the New York Senate, stated that the arts must be recognized with the same prominence when making investments as other priority sectors.
“I am excited to help welcome this new performing arts center to Upper Manhattan, where community voices will be raised, not only through the arts, but through the sense of representation that will be fostered here.” said the Latino political leader. “The People’s Theatre: Immigrant Cultural Center perfectly encapsulates the spirit of New York’s artist community, serving as a place where history and culture can be shared and celebrated.”
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine described the new space as an instrument that will help not only boost Latino talent and arts but as a tool for social justice.
“I am delighted to join the People’s Theater in celebrating this milestone towards establishing its permanent home, which will anchor its work to democratize and diversify production and access to the arts. New York is the capital of the art world, but the stories of immigrants and artists of color are not in the spotlight enough. I look forward to seeing the revolutionary community center for art, education and advocacy that The People’s Theatre: Immigrant Cultural Center will be.”
Regarding the project, which will also have 698 housing units, of which 281 will be affordable for residents earning 80 percent or less of the area’s median income, Councilwoman Carmen de la Rosa said it will turn the neighborhood into a cultural corridor. .
“Northern Manhattan has always had a rich culture and we are ready to make it a beacon for the arts. “This new cultural center will welcome new visitors to the area and at the same time honor the work of immigrants, especially those of Latin descent, who have transformed New York,” said the Dominican politician. “The People’s Theater Project knows how to navigate the intersection of cultural preservation, education and the arts, making them the right candidates to own and operate what will be one of the city’s newest cultural attractions.”
Congressman Adriano Espaillat joined the celebration for the start of the works and stated that the arts are essential for all communities.
“Today marks a momentous occasion, as the Popular Theater Project begins construction of the Immigrant Cultural Center, a cultural institution that will serve the residents of my district and the entire city of New York,” said the Dominican politician. “The arts have the power to bring communities together, and for the past 15 years, the People’s Theater Project has been doing just that in Washington Heights and Inwood. “I am delighted to see this development move forward and look forward to attending the ribbon cutting of this beautiful performing arts space that will showcase immigrant stories throughout our community.”
Arts Project Data
- 2026 will be inaugurated
- $30 million has been raised to raise it
- $37 million is the amount needed
- People’s Theatre: Immigrant Cultural Center will be the name
- 19,000 square feet in Manhattan’s Inwood neighborhood will get the project
- 407 West 206th Street, will be the headquarters
- The complex seeks to amplify the voice of New York’s diverse immigrant communities and will cultivate the work of local artists and arts organizations