What is The Kitchen known for?

The Kitchen is one of New York City's oldest nonprofit alternative art centers. It is a multidisciplinary avant-garde performance and experimental art institution that presents work across disciplines including dance, film, literature, music, theater, video, and visual art.

Where is The Kitchen located?

The Kitchen is currently at a temporary location at Westbeth Artists Housing, I Building, 163B Bank Street, 4th Floor Loft, New York, NY 10014, while its building in Chelsea is undergoing renovation.

What is the history of The Kitchen?

Founded in 1971 by Woody and Steina Vasulka as an artist-driven collective, it was formalized as a 501(c)(3) in 1973. It began in Greenwich Village at the Mercer Arts Center, moved to SoHo, and then to Chelsea in 1986.

What facilities does The Kitchen have?

Its facilities include a gallery, a 155-seat black box performance space, and a 360-degree digital screening room.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

The Kitchen in New York City

What to know

The Kitchen stands as one of New York City’s oldest nonprofit alternative art centers, a title it has held since its inception. Founded in 1971 by artists Woody and Steina Vasulka, the institution began as an artist-driven collective in Greenwich Village. The Vasulkas established the space because they were frustrated by the lack of dedicated outlets for video art and experimental performance at the time. Formalized as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1973, the center quickly became a vital hub for interdisciplinary creativity. Over the decades, The Kitchen has physically shifted to follow the pulse of the city’s artistic movements. After starting at the Mercer Arts Center in Greenwich Village, it moved to a loft on Wooster Street in SoHo. In 1986, the institution settled into its long-term home on 19th Street in Chelsea. That Chelsea location, renovated in 1986, featured a 155-seat performance space, a gallery, and a distinctive 360-degree digital screening room designed for immersive audio-visual experiences. Currently, The Kitchen is operating from a temporary location at Westbeth Artists Housing. Specifically, you will find it in the I Building at 163B Bank Street, on the 4th Floor Loft. This move is necessary because the original Chelsea building is undergoing renovation. Despite the change in address, the mission remains unchanged: to center artists and prioritize the creative process over commercial polish. The programming at The Kitchen is rigorously interdisciplinary. It presents new work across a wide spectrum of mediums, including dance, film, literature, music, theater, video, and visual art. Whether you are interested in avant-garde performance or experimental video, the institution offers a space where emerging and established artists can push boundaries. It remains a critical destination for those seeking art that challenges conventional formats.

Visitor tips

Check the 'On Air' section of the website before visiting, as programming is event-based and schedules change frequently.
The current location is inside Westbeth Artists Housing; look for the I Building at 163B Bank Street and head to the 4th Floor Loft.
Allow at least 90 minutes to fully engage with a performance or exhibition, as the interdisciplinary nature often demands focused attention.

Nearby context

Located within the Westbeth Artists Housing complex in the West Village, The Kitchen shares its temporary home with a historic community of working artists. This neighborhood, known for its bohemian history and creative energy, provides a fitting backdrop for an institution that prioritizes the artist's process. While the original Chelsea location is a short subway ride away, the Westbeth setting offers an intimate, residential feel that contrasts with the more commercial gallery districts.