What We Are

Bechdel Project is rooted in the vibrant cultural landscape of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and was founded in 2015 with the goal of addressing harmful gender disparities prevalent within our culture’s storytelling. Bechdel Project believes that we can change our culture by changing the stories we tell and that the lack of women-centered stories in our culture is harmful to women and men alike. Our mission is to amplify the voices and stories of women, non-binary, and underrepresented genders through art, activism, and education to shape a more equitable future for all.

Bechdel Project’s mission is front and center in every program we develop and our company culture. We are deeply committed to serving historically underrepresented communities in all our programming by promoting gender equality through an intersectional lens. Over 80% of our community and artists we serve include women, non-binary individuals, other underrepresented genders, and individuals from African American, Latino/Hispanic, Asian, and other historically marginalized communities. We also serve low income artists and artists over the age of forty. Two groups that are grossly under supported, if even rarely considered, when it comes to accessibility of programming. 

Our programs include: 

• The Room of One's Own (ROO) Writer's Residency

• The FIFE Fellowship

• The Interstate Initiative

• Educational Workshops

• The Free Community Space Program

With a commitment to growing and expanding our support and resources for artists, we’ve created affinity relationships with organizations such as She Arts NYC, we are one of the first contributing members of the newly formed Theater Advocacy Alliance, and launched our newest program, The Interstate Initiative, to focus on amplifying voices from outside of New York City, especially from areas with limited support for feminist artists. 

Between 2022-2023, our programs have served and/or employed hundreds of local artists and provided over $25,000 in free resources to our community. These initiatives contribute to our mission by nurturing the creation of innovative works, investing in emerging talents, and creating inclusive spaces for artistic expression.

Learn about ways to support here!

*What is the Bechdel Test?

Bechdel Project's name comes from what is popularly known as the "The Bechdel Test" based on Alison Bechdel's** 1985 comic strip "The Rule" in "Dykes to Watch Out For." Shockingly, there are only three criteria to pass the Bechdel Test:

1. The story must have at least 2 women.

2. They must talk to each other.

3. About something besides a man.

**Ms. Bechdel is not personally involved in the organization in any way.