Off-Broadway's wild project, a non-profit producer, performing arts venue, and community space, has purchased its longtime home in New York's East Village.
Located at 195 East 3rd Street, the purchase is the result of a multi-year campaign to save the company from eviction. The purchase would not have been possible without generous donations from the independent theatre community, funding support from New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, DASNY, Former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Empire State Development (ESD), State Senator Brian P. Kavanagh, and Assembly Member Grace Lee.
“New York’s creative spirit depends on the spaces where artists gather, experiment, and share their work,” said Governor Hochul. “I’m proud that the State could help wild project secure its permanent home in the East Village—a place that has nurtured countless artists and supported a vibrant, diverse cultural community. When we invest in organizations like wild project, we strengthen our creative economy and preserve the cultural spaces that make New York truly unique.”
Anne del Castillo of NYC Create in Place provided guidance as a connector, facilitator and advocate. Assembly Member Harvey Epstein provided support throughout the process. New York Lawyers for the Public Interest helped wild project access legal resources. Paul Leibowitz at Plot Advisory, guided wild project to its goal, standing by the organization through to the end. Randi Berry and the team at IndieSpace, and A.D. Hamingson & Associates also provided support and advice.
“After a long and often difficult journey, we are overjoyed to have secured wild project’s future with the purchase of our cherished home on East 3rd Street,” said Producing Artistic Director Ana Mari de Quesada and Producing Director Tom Escovar. “This milestone reflects years of determination and the collective strength of our artists, supporters, and community. We’re proud to preserve this creative space for future generations of New York’s cultural innovators.”
Currently one the very few eco-friendly theatre venues in NYC, wild project contains an 89-seat ADA-compliant theatre and art gallery featuring solar panels, a rooftop garden, bamboo-clad seat platforms, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, water efficient fixtures, a well insulated roof system, LED lights, and biodegradable products. Purchasing the building solidifies wild project’s home permanently in the heart of the East Village and ensures that their commitment to New York City’s artists remains for many years to come. This purchase of the building includes the air rights, making the potential for a larger performing arts center in the future a strong possibility.
Established in 2007, wild project is a nonprofit producer and venue which supports the diverse independent theatre, film, music, visual arts, and spoken-word artists of New York City.
