The Umbrella

The Umbrella is a groundbreaking cultural hub where art comes to life and community thrives. More than a performance venue, it's a creative ecosystem where local artists develop their craft, theater companies rehearse bold new works, and New Haven residents of all ages gather to experience, create, and celebrate the arts. Located at the crossroads of Westville, West Hills, and Beaver Hills, The Umbrella pairs professional artistic programming with accessible creative space—ensuring that New Haven's vibrant arts community has room to grow, innovate, and flourish.

A Space for Everyone

• A state-of-the-art black box theater for performances and rehearsals

• Flexible gallery space for local artists

• Professional rehearsal rooms for music and dance

• Community gathering spaces for classes and workshops

• Accessible facilities with elevator access

• Pay-what-you-can ticketing to ensure access for all

Why The Umbrella Matters

New Haven's artists and cultural organizations face a critical shortage of accessible, professional-grade spaces. The need is clear and urgent. In 2020, the Arts Council of Greater New Haven discovered that space for creatives was critically limited, especially outside downtown. The pandemic only intensified this crisis, leading to venue closures and job losses that hit our creative community hard.

The Umbrella provides this space by transforming 280 Blake Street into a vibrant creative home that serves historically underserved communities and celebrates our city's diverse artistic voices.

The Umbrella has already received significant support, including a $500,000 Good to Great grant for its first phase, and has assembled an advisory squad of local cultural leaders and community figures.

Our Vision

• Support emerging and established local artists

• Create sustainable jobs in the arts

• Offer professional development opportunities

• Foster cross-cultural collaboration

• Provide youth education and mentorship

• Build lasting community partnerships

Join Us

The Umbrella isn't just a building—it's a movement to make arts and culture accessible to all New Haven residents. We're seeking partners who share our vision for a more creative, connected city.

Learn More

Download our detailed pitch deck to explore:

• Full project specifications

• Community impact analysis

• Partnership opportunities

• Financial projections

• Timeline and milestones

Partner With Us

We're looking for:

• Arts organizations seeking performance or rehearsal space

• Community groups interested in programming partnerships

• Businesses looking to support local arts

• Individual artists wanting to join our creative community

• Educators passionate about arts education

Support The Project

Your contribution helps build a creative home for New Haven's artists and residents. Every dollar makes a difference.