I remember staring at the odd installations in a venue a friend yanked me to last minute to see the band Ought, but before I could get a chance to film other bands there, Secret Project Robot had shuttered. Good news!

Construction Under Way

Secret Project Robot will now be located at 1186 Broadway in good ol’ Bushwick.

(Venue owners released this statement originally on Brooklyn Vegan.)

“The new space, a 2500 square foot converted warehouse, to bar, to art space will be an exploration of not only dynamic and experimental programming in emerging youth culture but also a test run of how to make artist run spaces sustainable in a city that thrives off of culture but also greed. The space is entirely self funded, by both the hard-work and financial savings of the eight partners who have toiled ceaselessly since signing the 10 year lease on December 21st, 2016.

Secret Project Robot, emerging from the shadows will now be open 7 days a week with a bar, in which the decor and furnishings are fabricated by local artists including longtime friends Kayrock Screenprinting and Nick Kuszyk. The goal of the founders was to distill the essence of Secret Project Robot into a palatable and engaging space that is welcoming to all, and feels more like an ongoing “house party” than a bar or institution. For physical functionality, the gallery is divided into two rooms with a large and airy exhibition/performance space that can hold around 150 people and opens onto a patio and soon to be sculpture garden which is then also adjoined to the bar, thus nicknamed “cuckoo.”

To make this enormous endeavor possible the founders, Erik Zajaceskowski and Rachel Nelson, artist in their own right, who will be curating art installations and events, teamed up with longtime friends and collaborators. The partners will put forward a diversity in programming ranging from installation art, to film, to performance art, to bands, to the parties which Secret Project Robot has become known for over the past 13 years. Monica Mirabile of FLUCT and co-founder of Otion Front will be collaborating with Kathleen Dycaico, also of Otion, to bring emerging artist in the movement world into the programming. Jake Diebeler performance artist and member of electro-band Bottoms will be curating film and happenings at the space. Dave Kadden, of Invisible Circle, will be bringing in an eclectic mix of experimental music and DJ’s. Adrian Diaz, DJ and cultural curator, will be seeking out the latest talent in international partying, while William Schmiechen, artist, musician and booking/logistics expert will be helping to bring the best in up and coming and established music to the space.

Secret Project Robot will only hire artists, so it will be, not only creating a cultural space for art, but also helping to keep artists thriving in a New York City landscape that is less than financially friendly to the creative. The partners, with the help of the servers, door people and a/v team plan to lead a seminal history of supporting diverse collaborations and dynamic programming for the decade to come.”

Here’s the Facebook page for the re-opening party taking place on May 4th at 7:00pm, featuring a much needed toast with complimentary champagne and DJs to help get you loose!