The mission of 4thU Artivists is to raise awareness and funds through creative projects to end systemic oppression and gender-based violence globally and locally while supporting the leadership of marginalized womxn. These projects include theater, dance, concerts and art shows, and are presented under the auspices of the Fourth Universalist Society, a 501(c)(3) Unitarian Universalist congregation in New York City.

Since 2009, Fourth Universalist’s landmark gothic church has been home to our organization.  With them serving as our fiscal agent, we have raised over $175,000 for a number of established beneficiaries.  We began as a staunch supporter of  Eve Ensler’s organization, VDay (www.VDay.org), and their global movement to end violence against women and girls.  Initially called 4thU-VDay in tribute, we hosted an annual benefit production of Eve’s shows including The Vagina Monologues, The Good Body, and Emotional Creature.

Beginning with our 2016 condensed season, we reorganized as 4thU Artivists.  While our mission to practice “activism through the arts” remained the same, as a more independent body we shifted to a year-round production calendar.

We have three pillars of our operation:
1. Quality: We have a commitment to quality performances for our audience to rely on twice a year.
2. Fundraising: We do this work in order to support our local beneficiaries who work to end violence against women and girls locally and globally.
3. Community: We strive to create a welcoming and safe environment for all performance participants to all space for sharing, healing and support.

We now have the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of local  playwrights, musicians, dance troupes, theaters companies, and visual artists.  Submissions can be made on our submissions page with periodic calls going out to those on our mailing list.

For many years, we actively celebrated our special relationship with Eve Ensler by donating 10% of our net proceeds to Ensler’s organizations: V-Day and One Billion Rising.  In the last few years, she has requested that ALL proceeds go directly to our beneficiaries – other wonderful local organizations whose work is in alignment with our goals.  Please consider joining us in this fight to save lives.  Donate to support our creative projects and help us reach an even wider audience.

For more information on how you can support our powerful mission, please email  4thUArtivists@4thu.org.

Follow 4thU Artivists on social media:
Facebook – www.facebook.com/4thuartivists
Twitter – @4thUArtivists
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YouTube – 4thUArtivists
LinkedIn – http://linkedin.com/organization/11058297/