Inwood Vacant Space To Become Pop Up 'Culture Hub'

INWOOD, NY — An Inwood nonprofit organization will turn one of the neighborhood's vacant spaces into a "culture hub" — hosting both free and ticketed programs open to the public — for the month of June, the nonprofit announced.

The culture hub will open June 1 at 440 W. 202nd St., located between Ninth and 10th avenues, and will be run by Inwood Art Works and partially funded by a grant from the city Department of Small Business Services' Neighborhood 360° Program.

During the day, the space can be used by neighborhood residents and visitors to work on their creative ventures during "hang time" from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Inwood Art Works said. The facility will also host silent hours from 3-6 p.m. for reading, writing and getting other studious work done. Tea, coffee and Wi-Fi will be offered during the daytime hours.

At night the space will transform into a performance and activity space, Inwood Art Works said. The space will host a wide range of performances such as opera, circus, live music, comedy and visual art showcases.

The space will be closed on Mondays.

"Culture Hub is a vital initiative for Inwood and the surrounding community," Inwood Art Works founder Aaron Simms said in a statement. "Not only is there a great number of creative professionals in the area looking for work space and a local opportunity to present their work, but long-time residents are looking for professional arts, entertainment and cultural activities in their own backyard."

A schedule of the culture hub's events can be found online.

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