A Factory for Art & Ideas

Located in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, Powerhouse Arts is a former power plant turned creative hub. Spanning approximately 170,000 square feet, the facility offers fabrication shops (wood, metal, ceramics, print), rehearsal and studio spaces, and large-scale event venues. 

At its heart, Powerhouse Arts is committed to the belief that “creative expression is central to personal and civic development.” Through classes, workshops, artist-in-residence programs, and community engagement, it supports makers and performers at every level. 

How Harlequin Floors Plays a Role

As the building hosts complex performances and installations, the need for high-quality performance surfaces becomes critical. That’s where Harlequin Floors comes into focus: supplying resilient, dance-specific flooring systems that allow performances to unfold safely and beautifully within the industrial-meets-creative architecture of Powerhouse Arts.

When the team behind Powerhouse Arts set out to transform Brooklyn’s historic Powerhouse Arts into a multidisciplinary venue, they knew every element had to meet the caliber of the artists it would host. The venue will host world-class dance, theatre, and music—bringing together global voices to a space transformed. 

For the dance programming, the team at Powerhouse turned to Harlequin Floors for a performance-grade flooring solution that would meet the venue’s needs—portability, high-quality, and the artists’ needs—for a safe, professional, and trusted experience. The production team selected Harlequin Liberty® LatchLoc sprung panels for their modular design and ease of installation, along with a Harlequin Reversible™ marley roll-out dance floor that can be used for all styles of dance and performance, and is lightweight, ideal for temporary use. 

With Liberty Panels in place, the industrial hall became a world-class dance space, supporting performances ranging from Danish choreographer Mette Ingvartsen’s Skatepark (where skaters and dancers converge in a raw, hybrid takeover of the space) and Amari Marshall’s The Imagining (a large-scale finale that invites both artists and audience into a shared movement experience). 

The partnership between Powerhouse Arts and Harlequin Floors reflects a shared belief that the right environment empowers exceptional art. As Powerhouse Arts continues to establish itself as a cultural destination for interdisciplinary performance, Harlequin Floors is proud to play a role in creating spaces that support movement, connection, and innovation.

Learn more about Powerhouse Arts: https://powerhousearts.org/.