Hi, I’m Theo Eastwind, founder and creative director of NYC BuskerBall Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We’re dedicated to one simple idea: public space matters—and art belongs there.

All donations to NYC BuskerBall Inc. are tax-deductible, and as a nonprofit organization we are legally required to account for every dollar raised and spent. Transparency and responsible stewardship are core to our mission.

On April 11, 2026, we’re producing BuskerBall 2026 at Tompkins Square Park, NYC — a free, all-day celebration of street performance and human connection. BuskerBall brings together musicians, poets, dancers, and street artists to create a day where people don’t just scroll past art—they stumble into it.

This year, we’re also debuting a first-of-its-kind public experiment: AI “busking” alongside a human poet—not as a gimmick, not as a replacement, but as a mirror that invites curiosity. The question we’re putting in the park is simple:

“If it feels alive, what does that mean?”

What Your Donation Supports:

BuskerBall is free for the public, but it’s not free to produce.

$5,400 is already committed just for the stage and educational exhibit displays, including:

Stage rental and setup

Basic sound production

Printed and mounted historical displays (Buskers & Revolution, Soapbox Tradition, Famous Buskers)

Installation materials and event infrastructure

Beyond that, your support helps cover:

Artist support / stipends (so performers can show up and be paid fairly)

Permits & event insurance (required to legally operate in public space)

Exhibits & printing (educational materials on busking, history, and free expression)

Accessibility & day-of operations (volunteers, signage, supplies, safety needs)

Every dollar directly supports keeping this event free, accessible, and responsibly produced.

Why This Matters:

Busking is one of the oldest art forms on earth. It’s spontaneous, democratic, and rooted in freedom of expression. In a world increasingly shaped by invisible algorithms, BuskerBall is a reminder that the most powerful art still happens face to face, in public, in real time.

Public space only remains public if we actively use and protect it.

Transparency

We will post public updates as we hit milestones—artist confirmations, exhibit previews, and a post-event breakdown of how funds were used. We believe in accountability and community trust.

If you believe New York needs more live street culture—not less—please consider donating and sharing this campaign. Every amount helps.

Thank you for helping us keep the city’s most human tradition alive.

— Theo Eastwind

Founder, NYC BuskerBall Inc.

[BuskerBall.com]