About UPCA
The United Palace of Cultural Arts (UPCA) was created in 2012 to stimulate arts opportunities in Northern Manhattan, which is underserved by arts spaces, at the historic United Palace on Broadway at on 175th Street, Manhattan’s only regularly operating theatre north of the Apollo until The People’s Theatre opens on W. 206th Street in late 2026. (UPCA and the United Palace are separate organizations.)
UPCA’s mission is to serve as the bridge between the community and the Landmark United Palace by supporting emerging/young artists in presenting cultural arts events that uplift, educate, and unite Northern Manhattan, and beyond.
We inspire artists by providing them the opportunity to grace the same stage as the likes of Bad Bunny, Karol G, Steven Spielberg, and our friend, neighbor, and patron Lin-Manuel Miranda.
UPCA provides production advice, coordinates with United Palace personnel, and fundraises to pay some event costs for artists and arts organizations that don’t have the capacity to book the United Palace on their own. Most of the artists UPCA supports are from Northern Manhattan, although we also welcome organizations from around the city.
In 2025 UPCA’s programming included 34 events/activities that attracted 12,604 guests and put 3,093 artists on stage.
Programming and Partners
UPCA’s programming typically falls into three categories:
- COMMUNITY ARTS: Providing opportunities for local youth and emerging artists to perform and present in a world-class theatre
- DOMINICAN AND LATIN ARTS: Producing and presenting professional artists who reflect the culture of our Dominican and Latino neighbors in Washington Heights
- CRACK-A-LACKIN’ CLASSICAL MUSIC: We produce an annual event that reimagines classical music through mash–ups of different genres. Returning program partners include: the youth orchestra of the Association of Dominican Classical Artists, Leadlights Ensemble, the Washington Heights Community Choir, and DJ Boo. One of the highlights of the 2025 concert was the youth orchestra performing a live score to a video of the Hudson River crowd-sourced from local residents.
- UPCA also supports the NoMAA Gallery at the United Palace, which exhibits local artists in several curated shows a year.
UPCA-supported events are included on the United Palace’s main calendar.
Regular programing partners include:
Young People’s Chorus of New York City
Dominincan Film Festival Opening Night
Over the years UPCA has built strong relationships with many local arts organizations.
