Post-Sandy: The Kitchen sustains severe damage

Statement from The Kitchen

Dear Kitchen community,

Like thousands of others in New York and New Jersey, The Kitchen was impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Four feet of flooding filled the building’s theater and lobby spaces, severely damaging the floors, walls, doors, box office, lighting, and sound equipment required to house performances. Initial estimates of the loss are between $400,000 and $500,000, if not above, depending on how much material The Kitchen is able to salvage.

In the spirit of artistic resolve, The Kitchen is currently doing everything in their power to keep this season’s program intact, beginning with Richard Maxwell’s Neutral Hero, and Matt Keegan and Eileen Quinlan’s exhibition in the gallery. But at present they are simply unable to say precisely when they will be able to reopen.

The Kitchen’s Benefit Auction, which was slated for Monday, November 12, will be postponed to Monday, November 26, either at The Kitchen or at a to-be-determined alternative location. The proceeds from this annual benefit are essential to The Kitchen’s program and operations in general, but particularly today as they face the rebuild.

While there are countless others in even greater need after Hurricane Sandy, we ask that you keep the benefit in mind for any arts fundraising coverage you may do in the coming days.

The Kitchen’s Executive Director and Chief Curator Tim Griffin says, “As we do our best to reopen, our thoughts are with the people of New York and New Jersey hit so hard by the storm. And we look forward to welcoming artists and audiences back to The Kitchen as quickly as possible.”

We will update you on any schedule changes for the rest of the Fall/Winter 2012 season, including the next installment of The Kitchen L.A.B., Adrienne Truscott's Too Freedom (a dance show), and Camille Henrot and Joakim's Psychopompe (music/performance).