Jazz Power Initiative becomes founding resident company at new Inwood arts center

Jazz Power Initiative has joined The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante as a founding resident company after the venue opened its new 19,000-square-foot space in Inwood on Sept. 15. The move gives the Northern Manhattan nonprofit a permanent home for youth classes, adult workshops and expanded community programming.

Why it matters: - Jazz Power Initiative now has a stable base in Inwood to expand jazz education, performances and community arts programming. - The new residency strengthens access to low- and no-cost youth and adult arts offerings in Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. - The People’s Theatre’s new facility creates shared space for community-based cultural organizations in upper Manhattan.

What happened: - The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante opened its new 19,000-square-foot facility in New York’s Inwood neighborhood on Sept. 15. - Jazz Power Initiative became a founding resident company at the space. - The partnership was announced in connection with Jazz Power Initiative’s move into weekly programs at the studios starting in October.

The details: - Jazz Power Initiative is a 22-year-old Inwood-based nonprofit serving Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. - The organization engages young people in jazz culture through voice, dance and theatre. - Most youth programs are available at low or no cost to families. - Jazz Power Initiative also partners with schools on performances and workshops. - The nonprofit offers adult education and workshops in voice, piano and improvisation. - The organization is also a producer and presenter of community concerts. - A significant grant from the Warner Music Group /Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund, announced in August, helped make the program expansion possible. - Jazz Power Initiative recently presented the Swing, Salsa, Samba concert with the Women in Latin Jazz Festival for National Hispanic Heritage Month. - The concert featured Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans. - The first concert in the series took place Sept. 16 in Fort Tryon Park and drew hundreds of attendees. - The next performance is set for Sept. 30 at the same location. - Jazz Power Initiative is currently holding auditions for youth programs that include free private lessons. - Information on programs, registration and adult workshops is available at Jazz Power Initiative.

Between the lines: - The new home gives Jazz Power Initiative a more permanent operating footprint after years of using parks, streets, libraries, offices, annexes, churches and foyers for classes and concerts. - The arrangement reflects a broader push to anchor culturally specific arts organizations in neighborhood-based community centers. - Eli Yamin framed the partnership as a long-sought home for the organization after 22 years of mobile programming.

What's next: - Jazz Power Initiative will begin weekly youth classes and adult workshops at The People’s Theatre studios in October. - The organization will continue auditions for youth programs as it builds out its expanded schedule. - The Sept. 30 Fort Tryon Park concert will close out the current Swing, Salsa, Samba series.