New York Live Arts

New York Live Arts is a center of diverse artists devoted to body-based investigation that transcends barriers between and within communities led by world-renowned artist Bill T. Jones. We are a place that brings people together to explore common values through live gathering and performance reminding us of our humanity and elevating the human spirit.

We are an institution with an unequivocal commitment to supporting the creative identities of people living together in creative community. We provide much-needed resources to artists at every stage of their career, in a world where funding for the arts is increasingly reliant on the generosity of individuals.

We enable the creation of work by Artists at every level: from emerging talent being seen for the first time, to the mid-career artists who will be our next great masters. We foster artists who participate courageously in the world of ideas and ask difficult questions.

We believe the artist plays a distinct role as a witness to truth, by participating in free speech and expression that often comes at personal risk. We believe that live art has the ability to create communities, confluences, and platforms for the exchange of ideas.

We are living in a critical moment in which the social, political, and cultural tides are changing and these challenging times call on us to convene in a central place devoted to bringing people together in exploration of our common values.

With all that is happening globally and within our borders, we believe even more in our vision to be a conduit for engagement through the arts. The repertoire we present and the conversations we host, work to address themes spanning personal and communal responsibility, racism, gender equality, and civil liberties.

We are asking those who share our values to join us as we build the community of this important space for live gathering in the heart of New York City and to continue to elevate live performance – an act that has the power to remind us what humans are capable of.

“Where thinking and movement meet the future.” — Bill T. Jones

Located in the heart of Chelsea in New York City, New York Live Arts is an internationally recognized destination for innovative movement-based artistry offering audiences access to art and artists notable for their conceptual rigor, formal experimentation and active engagement with the social, political and cultural currents of our times. At the center of this identity is Bill T. Jones, Artistic Director, a world-renowned choreographer, dancer, theater director and writer.

We commission, produce and present performances in our 20,000 square foot home, which includes a 184-seat theater and two 1,200 square foot studios that can be combined into one large studio. New York Live Arts serves as home base for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, provides an extensive range of participatory programs for adults and young people and supports the continuing professional development of artists.

We acknowledge and offer deep gratitude to Lenapehoking where our theater sits – the land, and waters of the Lenape homeland.

About Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company
Founded in 1982, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company was born out of an 11-year collaboration between Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane (1948–1988). During this time, they redefined the duet form and foreshadowed issues of identity, form and social commentary that would change the face of American dance. The Company has performed worldwide in over 200 cities in 40 countries on every major continent and is recognized as one of the most innovative and powerful forces in the dance-theater world.