The Chamber of Commerce of Washington Heights & Inwood

Over 10 years ago, Inwood Art Works was created with the mission “to create and curate professional performing and visual arts in Inwood and its surrounding community.” It has more than succeeded. When founder Aaron Simms launched the organization, he saw a niche to be filled in connecting the myriad of artistic residents in Upper Manhattan to the arts supporters and enthusiasts who live in the neighborhood. The result has been a steady stream of diverse artistic endeavors from live stage shows, concerts and pop-up galleries to outdoor screenings, podcasts, and what has quickly become its crown jewel in the organization, the Inwood Film Festival, which not only annually showcases the best of film from Inwood and Washington Heights, but offers grants to qualified local filmmakers as well.

A Cincinnati, Ohio, native, Aaron’s roots are in theatre, where he continues to serve as production manager for shows on Broadway, Off-Broadway and beyond. Utilizing his decades of theatrical experience, Aaron has been able to fill a cultural void in the community like few others. We salute Aaron for his tireless dedication to showcasing local talent from a wide array of mediums, and for making Upper Manhattan a better and more culturally relevant place to live, work and visit.