NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

New York City Center has played a defining role in the cultural life of the city for more than 60 years. It was Manhattan's first performing arts center, dedicated by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1943 with a mission to make the best in music, theater and dance accessible to all audiences. The New York City Ballet and New York City Opera were both born at New York City Center, and Leonard Bernstein led the short-lived New York Symphony here.

Today, City Center is home to many distinguished companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Manhattan Theatre Club and the Pearl Theatre Company; a roster of renowned national and international visiting artists; and its own programs, such as the Tony-honored Encores! musical theater series, now in its 18th season.

Dance has been integral to the theater's mission from the start, and dance programs—including the annual Fall for Dance Festival and a partnership with London's Sadler's Wells Theatre—remain central to City Center's identity.

City Center is dedicated to providing educational opportunities to New York City students and teachers with programs such as Encores! in Schools and the Young People's Dance Series. Special workshops cater to families, seniors and other groups, while events such as the Fall for Dance DanceTalk series offer learning opportunities to the general public.  

Constructed in the 1920s as a Shriners' auditorium, the building was designed by Harry P. Knowles and the firm of Clinton & Russell. New York City Center has a mosque-like exterior dome and neo-Moorish designs both inside and out. Equilateral arches on its façade are clad in glazed tiles. It was designated a historical landmark in the 1970s.

Programs for Seniors
Innovative workshops can be crafted for seniors and other special groups that express an interest in collaborating with City Center.

• Landmark Status: National Register of Historic Places, New York City Landmark
• Directions: Subway: F, N, Q, R to 57th Street
  Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M10, M20, M31, M57, M104

• Box Office: Hours: Mon-Sat 12-8 pm; Sun 12-7:30 pm
• Disability Access: New York City Center Mainstage, Stage I and Stage II are accessible to people with wheelchairs. Please advise the center at the time of ticket purchase of your particular needs.
• Disability Assistance: Manhattan Theatre Club presents one signed performance for each production. For schedule call (212) 399-3030. Assisted listening devices, both wireless FM and infrared, are available free of charge at the Manhattan Theatre Club and New York City Center Mainstage.
• Space Rental: New York City Center is available for daily and weekly rental by performing arts companies, concert promoters, fund raisers, business meeting planners and others for a variety of special presentations both public and private. New York City Center studios are ideal spaces for dance, music and theater. There are large, column-free spaces equipped with sprung dance floors, mirrors, pianos and portable barres. Studios are open seven days a week, 9 am-11 pm. The entrance to the studios is located at 130 West 56th Street between Avenue of the Americas and Seventh Avenue.

Get involved with New York City Center

• Volunteer Opportunities: New York City Center welcomes a few, select volunteers to assist with the merchandise boutique, the Membership information booth and patron lounge hospitality during evening and matinee performances of Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert, as well as to provide clerical support during business hours for special projects. For further information, and to arrange a volunteer interview, please contact the Marketing Department at mkt@nycitycenter.org.
• Memberships: Generous support from members helps City Center remain a prominent performing arts venue with ever-expanding programming, partnerships and educational initiatives. Join today and gain access to behind-the-scenes experiences not available to the general public. Membership offers a variety of special benefits and privileges designed to enrich and enhance your City Center experience.
• Subscriptions