The East 4th Street Cultural District is the only official cultural district in Manhattan, and one of only two in the City. The creation of the Cultural District ensures the survival and growth of the block's long-term cultural groups, while retaining neighborhood character.

With improved facilities and public spaces, East 4th Street can become a gateway to the East Village and Lower East Side, better serving local residents and attracting citywide and out of town visitors. The proposed improvements will better define the cultural district and highlight the neighborhood’s cultural, community and commercial resources to ensure local economic development benefits. The improvements also plan for district growth in a way that meets the needs of local residents.

Cultural Facilities

The East 4th Street Cultural District is only one block long, yet it encompasses 12 theaters, 8 dance/rehearsal studios, 3 film editing suites, and a large screening room. In the next 2 years, an estimated 40,000 sq. feet of vacant space will be transformed into active cultural use; in 10 years, cultural space on the block will exceed 145,000 sq. feet – a powerful legacy in a city where affordable space for artists is an increasingly rare commodity.



Streetscape Improvements
FAB and partner Cooper Square Committee engaged Starr Whitehouse to develop a master plan with residents, merchants and cultural groups for the improvement of the East 4th Street streetscape. The goal of the project is to make East 4th Street even more of itself: a lively residential and shopping street and a cutting edge cultural district. The master plan we developed will promote the block’s artistic originality, improve safety and accessibility, and create a vibrant public space.


Shop Local
The economic benefits of the arts are well-established, and we are confident that the development of the cultural district as a unique destination will multiply economic benefit for local businesses. We are working closely with the Cooper Square Commercial Committee, and other local business partners to create events and publications that encourage residents and visitors to shop local. Check out our Community section for listing of shops and restaurants in the District.

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