named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Artist Classes and Workshops
Offers free and low-cost classes in acting, singing, yoga, and Feldenkrais for residents
Open Studios
Annual fall event allowing public access to artists' studios within the Westbeth complex
PEN World Voices Westbeth Edition
Literary event series in partnership with PEN, showcasing readings and discussions with writers
WestFest Dance Festival
Annual dance event featuring performances by resident and guest choreographers and dancers
Westbeth Flea Market
Community-run flea market organized by the Westbeth Beautification Committee to support resident engagement
Westbeth Gallery Exhibitions
Exhibits work of resident and guest artists in a public gallery space within the Westbeth complex
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Administer senior nutrition support programOperates a weekly Farm to Senior Program that enables seniors to sign up and receive $10 fruit and vegetable bags, supporting nutritional access for older adults in the community.
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Tree Planting and Reforestation Initiatives 1 activity
- Advance environmental sustainability through tree-planting initiativeLaunched and manages the Black Forest initiative, which has raised funds and planted over 40,000 trees across the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora over a 12-year period, promoting ecological restoration and global environmental engagement.
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Host community arts events and performancesOrganizes and hosts a wide range of public arts programming including live music (especially jazz), improvisational comedy, dance festivals, poetry readings, theatrical performances, film screenings, puppet shows, and literary events, primarily in the Westbeth Community Room. Events such as WestFest Dance Festival and West Side Fest 2026 include open studios, art markets, and family-friendly activities to promote community engagement in the arts.
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Community Wellness Movement Classes 1 activity
- Offer arts education and wellness classes for residentsProvides recurring educational and wellness programming for residents including free or low-cost acting, singing, yoga, and Feldenkrais classes, fostering ongoing artistic development and community well-being.
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Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
- Operate community facilities for artistic and social useMaintains and operates shared community spaces including a 2,900 square foot gallery and a community room equipped with a kitchen and audiovisual equipment, available for artistic presentations, rehearsals, exhibitions, classes, and public events with capacity for up to 74 people. These spaces are made available at low or no cost to support resident and guest artists.
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Public Space Beautification and Maintenance 1 activity
- Organize community markets and beautification initiativesSponsors the Westbeth Flea Market through the Westbeth Beautification Committee, contributing to local community engagement and neighborhood vitality.
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Affordable Housing Development and Management 1 activity
- Provide affordable live/work housing for artistsOperates a housing complex offering affordable live/work spaces to low-income artists across all disciplines, preserving long-term affordability and supporting artistic contribution to New York City's cultural and economic life. The complex opened in 1970 and continues to maintain safe, accessible housing for artists and their families.
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Community-Engaged Theater Production 1 activity
- Run community engagement programs in music and performanceProduces ongoing community-based performance programs such as Bliss SingTime Sessions, a 10-year-running community singing initiative, and the Bliss Cabaret, where participants perform songs, poetry, or dance at the end of each session, promoting inclusive artistic expression.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Support artist development through exhibitions and calls for proposalsHosts curated art exhibitions featuring work by Westbeth resident artists, national and international artists, and guest curators. Runs an annual call for proposals to present artwork and hosts exhibitions in partnership with cultural institutions such as the Whitney Museum, Parsons Fine Arts MFA program, and New York Foundation for the Arts Fellows.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$11.24M
Contributions & grants$188K2%
Program service revenue$10.80M96%
Investment income$45K0%
Other revenue$204K
expenses
Total expenses$12.86M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$3.34M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$58.29M
Cash$661K
Investments$343K
Liabilities$54.23M
Net assets$4.06M
Liquid reserves0.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +5.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PETER MADDEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $263K |
| MIRIAM TASH | COMMUNITY MANAGER | 40 | $149K |
| TODD SALLEY | SUPER | 40 | $117K |
board members · 12
- ADAM DAVIDSON — DIRECTOR (THROUGH 6/24)
- AILEEN GRIBBEN — DIRECTOR
- ALINA LUNDRY — TREASURER
- ARVIND SOHONI — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTINA MAILE — SECRETARY
- ELSIE MCCABE THOMPSON — DIRECTOR
- ERIN QUINN PURCELL — DIRECTOR
- GEORGE COMINSKIE — DIRECTOR
- JOE VERSACE — CHAIR
- JUDD LEVY — VICE CHAIR
- MERILYN ROVIRA — DIRECTOR
- SAMANTHA VINCENT — DIRECTOR (THROUGH 6/24)
relationships · 53
Who they work with
- ABNY Partner — Chair of Westbeth Arts Center has served as a board member or volunteer for ABNY.
- Arthur Polendo Partner — Participating artist in the "Two Way River" exhibition
- Children for Children Partner — Chair of Westbeth Arts Center has served as a board member or volunteer for Children for Children.
- Congregation Beth Simchat Torah Partner — First LGBT synagogue in New York; was located at Westbeth for nearly 40 years.
- Desirée Alvarez Partner — Participating artist in the "Two Way River" exhibition
- Diana Jensen Partner — Participating artist in the "Two Way River" exhibition
- Doerte Weber Partner — Participating artist in the "Two Way River" exhibition
- Duke Comedy Theatre Partner — Co-presents comedy events with Westbeth, including the "Work Sucks" improvisational show.
- Exploring the Arts Partner — Chair of Westbeth Arts Center has served as a board member or volunteer for Exploring the Arts.
- Eyebeam Partner — Chair of Westbeth Arts Center also serves as Chairman of the Board for Eyebeam, a not-for-profit collaborative arts and technology studio.
- Gordon Parks Foundation Partner — Chair of Westbeth Arts Center has served as a board member or volunteer for The Gordon Parks Foundation.
- Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation Partner — Conducted significant research to support Westbeth's landmark designation.
- Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation Partner — Works with WARC on preserving the historic character of the West Village neighborhood and zoning issues.
- Guggenheim Museum Partner — Collaborates with WARC on public programming and events.
- J. M. Kaplan Foundation Partner — Provided innovative funding and supervised the conversion and operation of the Westbeth building.
- Jazz at Lincoln Center Partner — Chair of Westbeth Arts Center has served as a board member or volunteer for Jazz at Lincoln Center.
- John Menegon Partner — Collaborating musician presenting Trio Essence and performing as bassist in a live music event.
- Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Partner — Collaborates with WARC on public programming and events.
- MOUSE Partner — Chair of Westbeth Arts Center has served as a board member or volunteer for MOUSE.
- Margaret Craig Partner — Participating artist in the "Two Way River" exhibition
- NYC westside cultural organizations Partner — Collaborated with Westbeth Artists Housing to promote community participation in the arts during West Side Fest 2026
- National Endowment for the Arts Partner — Co-spearheaded innovative funding for the Westbeth renovation project.
- New School for Drama Partner — Located within the Westbeth complex.
- New York City Council District 3 Partner — Partner organization providing information and support for the Farm to Senior Program.
- New York Foundation for the Arts Partner — Collaborates with WARC on public programming and events.
- New York Foundation for the Arts Partner — Hosts exhibitions featuring NYFA Fellows at the Westbeth Gallery.
- One Laptop per Child Partner — Chair of Westbeth Arts Center has served as a board member or volunteer for One Laptop per Child.
- PEN Literary organization Partner — Collaborates with WARC on the annual PEN WORLD VOICES WESTBETH EDITION.
- Parsons School of Design Partner — Hosts the Parsons Fine Arts MFA exhibition at the Westbeth Gallery.
- Patricia Melvin Partner — Participating artist in the "Two Way River" exhibition
+ 23 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Affordable Live/Work Housing for Artistsmethodology: affordable_live_work_housingBy providing affordable live/work housing, the organization sustains artistic practice and long-term community impact because stable, integrated living and working environments reduce financial barriers and enable continuous creative production.
- Artist-Centered Autonomy and Curationmethodology: artist-led curationBy prioritizing artist-led curation and creative control, the organization strengthens professional ownership and artistic expression because empowering artists as decision-makers increases engagement, authenticity, and community resonance.
- Community-Engaged Arts and Cultural Partnershipsmethodology: community-engaged arts programmingBy collaborating with cultural organizations and co-sponsoring public arts programming, the organization amplifies community engagement and artist visibility because partnerships expand reach and lend institutional credibility to grassroots artistic efforts.
- Integrated Arts Spaces in Residential Communitiesmethodology: integrated-arts-spaces-in-housingBy embedding dedicated artistic creation and presentation spaces within affordable housing complexes, the organization fosters resident and public engagement with the arts because proximity and accessibility lower barriers to participation and amplify cultural exchange.