Tribeca Performing Arts Center (TRIBECA) is a leading arts presenter in lower Manhattan. TRIBECA's mission is to provide ethnically and culturally diverse arts programs of high quality and educational value for Lower Manhattan, for the greater New York City metropolitan area and for the Borough of Manhattan Community college (BMCC) community in which it is physically located. Their relationship with the college is to manage, maintain and provide programming for its two fully equipped and accessible state-of-the-art performance spaces, (one with 913 seats - the largest downtown - and the other with 262). TRIBECA presents an eclectic mix of theater, music and dance by both national and international companies and local (New York City-based) emerging artists. Each year approximately 100,000 patrons walk through their doors to attend TRIBECA's own programs, independent productions, performances and interactive presentations.
TRIBECA, originally incorporated as Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) Performing Arts Center in 1983, is an independent non-profit organization with its own board and fiscal responsibility. Because of the performing arts center's unique physical setting (in a burgeoning downtown business district yet within a city-owned college facility serving over 18,000 students) TRIBECA attracts an uncommonly diverse audience.
TRIBECA produces / presents several events each season. Presently this includes three music programs, including a very well-received series called Lost Jazz Shrines. Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Lost Jazz Shrines that celebrates historic New York City jazz clubs no longer in existence. Resident companies have included The Acting Company, Mabou Mines, and New Federal Theater. TRIBECA has a long-standing relationship with many educators and teaching artists and is an active partner of the New York City Department of Education, reaching thousands public school students.