New York City is one of the most culturally vibrant locations on the planet, and the East Village has been one of the city’s epicenters for decades. Stroll out of one of the East Village luxury rental apartments at EVGB, and you’ll find yourself only footsteps away from a diverse collection of intriguing options for art, theater, or music. Here are five of our favorites:

Susan Sheehan Gallery  |  136 East 16th Street,  New York, NY 10003

For three-plus decades and counting, the Susan Sheehan Gallery has been one of the premiere locations for what’s known as the “American print renaissance,” which ran from the 1960s through much of the 1980s. The gallery has exhibited work by David Hockney, Jasper Johns, Sol LeWitt, Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Mitchell, Andy Warhol, and a host of other renowned artists. The color and energy of the post-war American art scene spills from one room to the next as you make your way through the space. A stunning work of minimalism by Ellsworth Kelly will be followed by a bursting, expressionist painting by Joan Mitchell. And it all works; the cohesion here is undeniably impressive.

Kenkeleba House  |  214 East 2nd Street, New York, NY 10009

For over 40 years, Kenkeleba House has been an institution dedicated to the exhibition of African-American, Asian, Latino, and Native-American art. The gallery has displayed work by more than 7,000 artists and creators over the years, and has helped deserving artists gain recognition. There is truly no other gallery like Kenkeleba in the city. It has one of the most impressive and diverse collections of African-American art you will find anywhere. It’s likely you won’t be familiar with many of the artists whose work hangs on the walls, and that is precisely what makes it such an important and unique place.

The Public  |  425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003

Since 1967, when The Public theater first opened its doors and premiered the classic, counterculture musical “Hair,” it has grown to become a true New York City landmark. The space consists of five theaters and the cabaret theater known as Joe’s Pub. In addition to classic works, The Public often premieres works that go on to become Broadway hits such as, “A Chorus Line,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Take Me Out,” “The Merchant of Venice,” and “Hamilton.” These shows, in total, have won a staggering 54 Tony Awards. And in addition to the shows, The Public hosts an array of events, readings, discussions, festivals, and programs — which includes the perennial favorite Shakespeare in the Park.

Theater for the New City  |  155 First Ave, New York, NY 10003

When it comes to Off-Off-Broadway theaters, this is one to get excited about. For more than four decades, the Theater for the New City has been exhibiting work that most other theaters typically shy away from. If you want to be challenged or if you want to see something that might be a bit avant-garde or politically charged, this is the spot. Receiving a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as 42 Obie Awards, the work at New City is second to none.

Rockwood Music Hall  |  196 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Moving from theaters to music venues, Rockwood Music Hall is a wonderful space for independent music in Downtown Manhattan. The venue’s three stages feature music that runs the gamut in terms of genre, style, and presentation. Any night you choose to stop in you are sure to see and hear something interesting and unique. Thousands of talented NYC musicians have graced the stages at Rockwood over the last 13 years. If you’re looking to discover a new artist, this is where you should go.