Archive News for 2010

Mayor Bloomberg and Meryl Streep Present the 2010 Mayor's Awards for Arts and Culture

On Monday, November 8, 2010, Mayor Bloomberg and Meryl Streep presented the 2010 Mayor’s Awards for Arts & Culture at Alice Tully Hall. Awards recipients included Amy Fischetti-Boncardo, Bill Cunningham, the Brooklyn Community Foundation, Deborah Effinger, and Sandy Ground Historical Society, in celebration of their outstanding contributions to New York City’s cultural life. The Mayor also presented the 2010 NYC Handel Medallion, New York City’s highest award for achievement in the arts, to dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison. The event featured live performances by Arturo O’Farrill and members of the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and The Ailey School, and Chinese Theatre Works. Special guests included Wynton Marsalis, actor and singer Darius de Haas, Grandma from the Big Apple Circus and a voiceover recorded by Alec Baldwin.
Read the press release.

NYC Department of Buildings and Department of Cultural Affairs Launch urbancanvas Design Competition to Beautify Construction Sites with Temporary Art throughout New York City

The New York City Department of Buidlings and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs launched the urbancanvas Design Competition, challenging artists and designers to use temporary protective structures as blank canvases on which to express their creativity through public art. Registration for the competition is open until July 19, 2010. Interested participants can visit www.nyc.gov/urbancanvas for more information about the competition and how to participate.
Read the press release.

Mayor Bloomberg Announces the 4th Annual Make Music New York Festival and “Play Me, I’m Yours”

Mayor Bloomberg was today joined by Cultural Affairs Commissioner Levin and other officials to announce the 4th Annual Make Music New York, a one-day festival featuring more than 1,000 free musical performances at locations in all five boroughs, and “Play Me, I’m Yours,” a two-week citywide music program featuring 60 public pianos in public spaces throughout New York City. “Play Me, I’m Yours” begins on Make Music New York day, Monday, June 21, and will run through July 5. For further information about these public art projects, call 311 or visit NYC.gov, MakeMusicNY.org, or SingForHope.org.
Read the press release.

Times Square Alliance Seeking Proposals for Art Projects and Events in Times Square

The Times Square Alliance seeks letters of interest from arts organizations and artists across disciplines to present contemporary art projects and art events in the public spaces in and around Times Square. Applicants can propose a single project or series for anytime between September 2010 and December 2012. Projects should address the unique nature and rich history of Times Square, and organizations, curators and artists are encouraged to consider how their projects will affect the 350,000 daily Times Square visitors. Letters of Interest are due on July 15, 2010 and should not exceed 500 words.

Information sessions and walk-throughs of applicable public spaces will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2010, 4 PM and Monday, June 28, 2010, 11 AM. RSVP with date and time and contact info at artsubmit@timessquarenyc.org.
More information about the Times Square Public Art Program.

Theater Subdistrict Council Grant Program

The Department of City Planning and the Department of Cultural Affairs are pleased to provide information on the second round of a grant program designed to recognize the vital role that theater plays in the overall economic and social well-being of New York City. The Theater Subdistrict Council Grant Program is open to organizations and/or consortia that:

offer theater-related cultural programs based in and operating in the five boroughs
are incorporated in New York State
have been in existence and providing public services for at least two years
had an operating income of $200,000 or more in FY09

No more than 15 - 20 awards are expected to be made in this second round; awards will be for $50,000 or more. Intent to Apply forms must be postmarked by April 9, 2010. Respondents to the Intent to Apply will be notified in mid-June if they will be invited to submit a full application; a decision regarding which projects will be funded in the second round of the program will be announced in September, after a review of the full applications.

Download the following TSC documents here:
Overview of the Application Process
Intent to Apply Form
Instructions
FAQ's
Map of the TSC Boundaries

Mayor Bloomberg Inaugurates Event Horizon

On Tuesday, March 23 Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Levin and NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta joined artist Antony Gormley and Madison Square Park Conservancy President Debbie Landau to commemorate the opening of Event Horizon New York. Commissioned by Mad. Sq. Art., the landmark public art project features thirty-one life-size body forms that inhabit the pathways and sidewalks of Madison Square Park and rooftops across the Flatiron District, from March 26-August 15, 2010.
Read the press release.
More information.