The institution typically presents two seasons of curated public performances, talks, and events per year.

NYU Skirball presents live events in genres ranging from dance, theater and performing arts to comedy, music and film.

It is known for presenting international contemporary performing artists including Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker,[2] Toshiki Okada,[3] Jérôme Bel,[4] and Forced Entertainment[5] as well as local artists such as Elevator Repair Service,[6] The Wooster Group,[7] Big Dance Theater,[8] and International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE).

NYU Skirball connects academics with performing artists in their "Office Hours"[9] video series and "Indefinite Articles[10]" commissioned essays.

It also screens film broadcasts of theater productions from National Theatre Live and hosts talks by speakers from politics, arts, sciences, academia, and more.