About Us

Founded on Long Island and rooted in the DIY scene, Ballpark was built as a direct response to the feeling of being left out by the larger systems meant to serve creatives.

Our founder, Basia Kurlender, began booking shows in 2017 while managing WPIR Pratt Radio. After years embedded in the Brooklyn DIY scene as a graphic designer and musician, she returned to Long Island and found a community with immense creative energy but a need for deeper cultural programming. She started booking shows as Ballpark Figure Booking in used bookstores, nature preserves, art galleries, and craft breweries — prioritizing fair pay, diverse lineups, and programming that combined music with art workshops, nature education, and community events.

Ballpark Management grew out of that same foundation. While producing events, Basia noticed a recurring gap: many of the most talented artists lacked the strategic infrastructure to navigate their careers. We built this agency to fill this gap — taking the DIY spirit of figuring it out and turning it into a professional blueprint for artists.

Ballpark Management launched in late 2025, growing out of a booking and events operation that has produced 30+ events, partnered with major cultural institutions, and been funded by the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts.