Urgent Call to Save East Village Arts

East Village Arts (EVA) is a volunteer-led arts cooperative bringing together artists, musicians, poets, and neighbors to create something beautiful in Birmingham, Alabama's East Lake District. Inspired by the spirit of New York’s East Village, our mission is to spark community revitalization through diverse, experimental, and meaningful art experiences. Since 2019, we've transformed a historic theater into a vibrant arts hub offering a multi-use venue where creativity, culture, and community converge.

But now we urgently need your help to keep it alive.

Why We Need Your Help

Membership dues don’t currently cover our core costs, like rent, power, internet, and admin support. Our board is hard at work building a stronger membership model and applying for grants to build a sustainable future—but we need $20,000 to cover our operating expenses for the next six months so we can stay open during the transition.

What’s at Risk

Without immediate support, we may be forced to shut our doors. That means losing:

What Makes EVA Special

EVA is more than a venue—it's a movement. From cast iron guitar festivals and student-built installations to free community music lessons and international musicians on tour—we’ve brought world-class creativity to a neighborhood with deep roots and rising hope.

We’ve spent years building a space where creativity, culture, and community converge. Our multi-use venue has hosted local and international artists across visual art, music, spoken word, and performance—offering a platform for serious work that often falls outside the mainstream. We’ve also fostered cross-cultural dialogue and neighborhood pride, bringing people together to connect, create, and feel safe.

EVA is more than an art space. It’s a catalyst for connection and transformation in a neighborhood full of potential. With your help, we can continue to build a vibrant “East Village” in Birmingham—a space where art thrives and where community heals.

Your Support Makes It Possible

To sustain and grow EVA’s mission—offering classes, community events, and artist support—we need external support. Your donation will help us:

Every gift matters:

Thank you for being part of this creative community!

With love,

EVA Board of Directors