Making A Permanent Home For wild project

ROOT US IN THE LES

Root Us in the LES, is a capital campaign wild project launched in March 2022 to acquire the building on E. 3rd St. in the East Village which is home to our 89-seat theater, gallery, and the home base for the artists and resident theater companies we serve. It’s a campaign to forever lay the foundation for the next generation of artists. We’re inspired by New York’s past, it’s standing in history as a cultural beacon and incubator. Through the changes, turmoil and resiliency in our city, the Covid-19 shutdown, and the ongoing process of recovery, our mission to serve LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC artists of New York City remains. This campaign will ensure that our commitment to New York’s artists remains for many years to come.

Last year, wild project was awarded a $1,000,000 grant from former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and a $250,000 grant from the LoCAP fund via NYS Senator Brian Kavanaugh’s office, helping to propel the campaign forward. We need to raise an additional $1,000,000 through federal, state, local, community and foundation resources in order to take out a low-cost mortgage on the $5,000,000 building. The purchase of the building also includes the air rights, making the potential for a future performing arts center a strong possibility. The urgency of the campaign is real, and we will need everyone’s help to meet this goal!

wild project has the unique opportunity to purchase our building, but if we do not come up with the funds to sign a contract by February 2025, our space will go on the market and will be sold to the highest bidder, and likely be developed into luxury apartments, forcing another beloved downtown performing arts space to close.