1982–2020
After 38 years of dedicated service to the artistic communities of New York City, Exploring the Metropolis (EtM) closed its doors in June of 2020. In an effort to preserve EtM’s legacy and vision in resolving workspace issues for NYC’s performing artists, Redtail Artist Residencies is pleased to continue one of EtM’s most impactful residency programs at Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning.
Eugenie C. Cowan, founder of Exploring the Metropolis, Inc.
Founded in 1982 by Eugenie C. Cowan, EtM made a singular impact. Over the decades, EtM focused on performing artists’ need for affordable, suitable space to create, rehearse and perform in New York City. EtM accomplished this service through various vehicles: Conferences, such as A Generation of Theatre 1982, 1992, 2002, seminal studies, such as the 2004 Report on the Feasibility of an Orchestra-based Rehearsal Center in Manhattan, which formed the basis for the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, and its groundbreaking free searchable online database, NYC Performing Arts Spaces.
“Each of the workspace needs we have identified is part of the demand: supply equation, making optimum use of appropriate underused space to enhance both the arts and the real estate facilities.”
Eugenie Cowan, EtM Board Chairwoman & Founder
In 2009, EtM’s juried residency programs served two communities: cultural facilities, such as community music schools with underused space, and composers and choreographers who needed space to create. More than 100 composers and choreographers were awarded free workspace and stipends. They provided free public programs for hundreds of audience members at EtM host facilities such as Flushing Town Hall, Bloomingdale School of Music, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and more.
Exploring the Metropolis Residencies:
Provided more than $1,000,000 worth of no-cost rehearsal space and cash awards to New York City artists
Supported more than 100 composers, choreographers and performing artists with free space
Provided more than 50,000 hours of free rehearsal space to NYC artists
Supported 90 free public programs for thousands of New Yorkers
Supported the creation, development and completion of 89 new works for music and dance.
To read more about EtM’s history and legacy visit www.exploringthemetropolis.org or read about some of EtM’s most impactful programs and studies.
EtM Programs & Activities
EtM Choreographer + Composer Residencies
Started in 2015, the EtM Choreographer + Composer Residencies in partnership with Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning provided four choreographer/ composer teams free workspace and financial support over a three-month period to develop new work.
EtM Con Edison Composer Residencies
Started in 2009, the EtM Con Edison Composer Residencies program was created to provide free, long-term studio space to composers in need of a dedicated workspace outside of their home. Residencies were hosted by cultural facilities such as Flushing Town Hall and Bloomingdale School of Music.
EtM Studies & Consulting
Exploring the Metropolis had a long history of expertise and consultancies on shared space, adaptive use, layouts and how to make space work better. They have provided data and advice to address workspace issues that affect the music, dance and theatre communities in NYC.
Queens Workspace Initiative
The Queens Workspace Initiative (QWI) was a project conceived and led by Exploring the Metropolis (EtM) to help ensure that the performing arts offerings in the borough of Queens were the best they can be. Click here to learn more!