There’s nothing like attending a free cultural program in Washington Square Park. The wide variety of performances and activities that take place in this space are an essential part of what makes it unique. For the last 10 years, the Washington Square Park Conservancy has supported local community organizations that host free public programming in the park, starting out as a small fund to bring much needed resources to legacy events and growing into a robust grant program that not only supports old favorites, but encourages an ever-evolving roster of cultural offerings. 

In its inaugural year in 2016, the Conservancy awarded $5,000 to 7 organizations; this year, the Conservancy is proudly supporting 17 organizations with a total of $25,000 in grant funding, bringing a wide variety of cultural programming to the park throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Washington Square Park isn’t one thing, it’s a dizzying kaleidoscope of sound and movement and action. We’re proud to support these local organizations who add so much to the fabric of our beloved park. 

Programs will begin in April. See below for a full list of the 2025 Community Arts Grantees, and keep checking back throughout the season for updates on their scheduled events! 

April

• Multiculture Center Folk Dance Club Kaleidoscope – live performance of Kaleidoscope, a series of traditional folk dances

May

• Show Brain – musical concert, Oscar’s Music Day, featuring an incredible lineup of four local bands
• eGALitarian Brass – musical concert, Groove, featuring new groove forward pieces, prominent classical, jazz, and latin compositions
• Douglas Dunn + Dancers – live performance of Vain Combat, a modern dance
• Feraba – African Rhythm Tap – musical concert, Tradition Reimagined, by the Balafon Quartet

June

• Washington Square Association Music Fund – musical concert series Washington Square Music Festival 
• Nuevo Tango Arts – live performance of Piazzolla100, a tango performance and open-level class celebrating New York inspired tango
• Museum of Interesting Things – 16MM Film Festival featuring Prohibition Jazz and relics of a bygone era

July

• Pigeonwing Dance – live performance of The Carpet Series, a contemporary ballet
• Manhattan Summer Winds –  musical concert performed by community wind ensemble
• The India Center – presentation of Explore India a showcase of Traditional Indian Folk Arts

August

• Theater for the New City – theatrical performance of Home Sweet Home OR: A Life in New York

September

• Tree Wonder WSP – Drawing sessions under the oldest tree in Manhattan
• Museum of Chinese in America – live performance of Echoes of Arrival, a dance illuminating the immigrant experience
• The Village Trip – musical concert Bringing it All Back Home to Washington Square 
• In Parenthesis – theatrical performance of PAPERS, a unique outdoor, immersive, multimedia performance following the plight of refugees
• Living Traditions – musical concert Washington Square Park Folk Festival

Stay tuned for scheduling updates at www.washingtonsqpark.org/events.