NewYork-Presbyterian, the Miranda Family Fund, and Governor Kathy Hochul Celebrate the Ceremonial Groundbreaking for The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante

NewYork-Presbyterian joined The People’s Theatre Project, the Miranda Family, Governor Kathy Hochul, and other elected officials in celebrating a ceremonial groundbreaking for The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, a new 19,000-square foot performing arts center in Manhattan’s Inwood neighborhood. The center, which will be located at 407 West 206th Street, will amplify the voices of New York City’s diverse immigrant communities and cultivate work by local artists and arts organizations.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Luis A. Miranda Jr, on behalf of the Miranda Family Fund, and Dr. Steven J. Corwin, president and chief executive officer of NewYork-Presbyterian, announced transformational pledges of $1 million each toward the performing arts center’s development. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul also announced $4 million in funding for the theater through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.

“NewYork-Presbyterian is proud to support the People’s Theatre Project, and we look forward to the future of the Centro Cultural Inmigrante,” said Dr. Corwin. “This will be a space where members of the community can come together to create meaningful social connections, build a sense of belonging, and help enrich the community and New York City through the arts.”

The new center will feature a midsize theater, a smaller performance space, rehearsal studios, a soundproof practice room, and gallery space. When the new theater opens in 2026, audiences can experience theatrical performances that explore the breadth of immigrant experiences represented in New York City, enjoy live music, and dance performances, film screenings, and other civic and community events. For children and families, the center will offer classes, festivals, and student matinee field trips.

“The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante will be an exemplary space, developing and producing theater that is more equitable and representative of immigrants, Latine artists and our communities of color,” said Mino Lora, founding executive artistic director of the People’s Theatre Project. “For the last 15 years, we have been committed to uplifting the voices of marginalized communities, and The People’s Theatre will connect, inspire, and catalyze generations of immigrants and their allies. We are extremely grateful for the catalytic support from Governor Hochul, EDC, DCLA, the Miranda Family Fund and NewYork-Presbyterian during this exciting moment for our neighborhood and our organization, with an opportunity to build a community-rooted and anti-oppressive cultural institution in New York City from the ground up.”

“It is with tremendous pride that we break ground today on The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, here in Northern Manhattan,” said Luis A. Miranda Jr. and Lin-Manuel Miranda of the Miranda Family Fund. “It is no secret our family loves this neighborhood. This is because Northern Manhattan is a vibrant, hardworking community of diverse creators, makers, movers and shakers — all looking to share their stories. Theater is about community, offering a space where art, culture, and identity converge. Our uptown neighborhood is more than ready to have a permanent home for its theater practitioners, to nurture and showcase countless generations of storytellers and stories to come.”

“As the largest Latine theater in New York City and the city’s first Dominican-managed cultural institution, the People’s Theatre Project’s new home will be more than a performing arts center — it will be a tribute to the diverse artists, cultures, and communities that define our great state,” Governor Hochul said. “New York has always cherished its diversity and inclusiveness, and through our support for timeless institutions like this one, we always will. I will continue working with my partners in government and the arts community to find ways to celebrate the history, creativity, and culture of all New Yorkers, and I look forward to cutting the ribbon on this beautiful space in a few short years.”

The People’s Theatre Project will also partner with the New York Public Library to provide research and literary programming that will allow community members to explore the immigrant experience through scholarship and the performing arts.

It is being developed by a joint venture of LMXD, MSquared, and Taconic Partners and designed by woman- and immigrant-owned architecture firm WORKac and theater and acoustics consultant Charcoalblue.