Archive News for 2012

Guide to Maximizing Insurance Recoveries for Hurricane Sandy

The NYC Departments of Law and Consumer Affairs created this guide for small businesses, nonprofits, and homeowners on working with insurance companies, filing claims, and navigating the appeals processes.
Access the insurance guide.

New York City’s Cultural Community Responds to Hurricane Sandy

Arts Organizations and Artists Citywide Host Events and Offer Services to Support New Yorkers in Need
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, New York City cultural organizations have provided crucial support for communities in need and continue to offer services and programs to aid and inspire New Yorkers.
Read a selection of cultural relief efforts.

Percent for Art Opportunity within Jackson Avenue Streetscape Improvements

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has allocated $21.5 million (phase 1+ phase 2) for streetscape improvements on Jackson Avenue between Queens Plaza and 21st Street. The project will transform this critical street from its current barren environment into a tree-lined, pedestrian-oriented street. Contemporary streetlights and benches, tree planted medians, and enlarged parks are all included in the improvements. The signature and final element is permanent public art. In
conjunction with EDC, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Percent for Art Program is seeking artists for the commission of permanent artwork on Jackson Avenue.
More information

SPARC: Seniors Partnering with Artists Citywide Call for Artists is Now CLOSED

SPARC: Seniors Partnering with Artists Citywide is a community arts engagement program that will place 50 artists-in-residence at senior centers across the five boroughs starting January 2013.
Learn more about the SPARC application process.

Department for the Aging Commissioner Barrios-Paoli and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Levin announce new funding for SPARC: Seniors Partnering with Artists Citywide

Call for Artists Open Now through October 31 for 50 Artist Residencies in Senior Centers Citywide
The NYC Department for the Aging will provide $200,000 for the 2013 SPARC program, allowing the City to build on the success of the 2012 SPARC program. During the 2012 program, 50 artists delivered more than 2,000 contact hours of arts programming to hundreds of senior participants at 44 senior centers. Artist residencies for the 2013 SPARC program will take place in select senior centers from January through June 2013.
Visit the SPARC page for more information on the 2013 SPARC program.

Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Levin, and Officials Announce Plans for the New York Aquarium “Ocean Wonders: Sharks!” Building

Aquarium expansion will provide major boost to the ongoing revitalization of Coney Island
On August 16, 2012 Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Levin, Wildlife Conservation Society President and CEO Cristián Samper and other officials unveiled the design and announced new funding for the New York Aquarium "Ocean Wonders: Sharks!" building. The City's Public Design Commission approved the design in early August. The project will transform the exhibit space to feature more than 100 different species of marine animals – including sharks – and bolster Coney Island as a premier tourist
destination. Construction begins in October 2012 and is expected to be completed in 2015.
Read the press release.

Commissioner Levin and Officials Break Ground on Two New Exhibits at the Staten Island Zoo

Commissioner Kate Levin joined Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner David Burney, Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, Councilman Domenic Recchia, Zoo officials, and others to break ground on two exciting new exhibits at the Staten Island Zoo: a 4,500 sq. ft. Amur Leopard Exhibit and the Conservation Carousel. Once completed the outdoor leopard exhibit will be one of the largest in the country, providing multiple stations for visitors to view the animals in a
naturalistic setting. The Conservation Carousel will feature replicas of approximately 24 different endangered species for visitors to ride. Designed by Slade Architects as part of DDC’s Design Excellence program, these projects advance the Zoo’s mission to attract, engage, and educate audiences from across New York City.
Learn more about the Staten Island Zoo.

Mayor Bloomberg presents 30th Annual Design Commission Awards

Commissioner Levin Accepts 4 Prizes for Cultural Capital Projects
On Tuesday, July 24 Mayor Bloomberg honored the 10 winners of the Public Design Commission’s 30th Annual Awards for Excellence in Design at a ceremony in the iconic New York by Gehry building. Selected from hundreds of submissions, the honorees included two cultural capital projects and two Percent for Art commissions: the construction of three carriage houses for the Staten Island Historical Society; the reconstruction of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Flatbush Avenue Entrance and Terrace Café;
the installation of The Passage: A Moving Memorial by Mary Miss at the Staten Island Courthouse; and the installation of Day Is Done by Susan Philipsz on Governors Island. Since 2002, DCLA has received 29 Design Commission awards.
Read the release.

Mayor Bloomberg Highlights Free and Low-Cost Cultural Events Occurring throughout the Summer

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg outlined some of the free and low-cost, family friendly cultural activities occurring throughout the five boroughs this summer. There are countless opportunities for New Yorkers and visitors to experience the creativity that makes New York City a great place to live, work and visit. New York City offers hundreds of events, exhibits and performances that are free or low-cost to the public. Call 311 or visit NYC.gov events calendar for more information on these and
other programs.
Read the release.

Mayor Bloomberg opens a new Visitor Center at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

On May 16, 2012, Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Levin, and other officials opened a new visitor center at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, located at 990 Washington Avenue. The award-winning sustainable structure, designed by Weiss Manfredi Architects, houses orientation rooms and exhibits that welcome audiences to the garden's dynamic grounds and diverse collections.
Learn more about the new visitor center.

The Fiscal 2013 Cultural Development Fund Application Period is currently CLOSED.

The annual deadline for Cultural Development Fund applications was February 13, 2012 and the Department of Cultural Affairs is no longer accepting applications for Fiscal 2013 funding.
Learn more about the agency’s Programs funding process.

New York City Economic Development Corporation Announces RFP for Lighting Installation in Lower Manhattan

NYCEDC seeks a cultural organization or design team for the development and implementation of an innovative and engaging lighting and place-making initiative aimed at increasing Lower Manhattan’s exposure, expanding its appeal in the evening hours, and spurring more diverse business activity. Respondents must use the area’s buildings and public spaces to create a strong neighborhood identifier visible to viewers from both near and far. The submission deadline is February 13, 2012 at 4:00pm.
Learn more about this opportunity.

CDF Panelist Nomination Period Open

The agency welcomes nominations for panelists to serve on the peer panels that review applications. Panelists should have knowledge of the Department of Cultural Affairs and its application process as well as the constituency it serves, demonstrate expertise in one or more of the cultural disciplines, and, for borough-specific panels, be familiar with the cultural community of a specific borough. Complete and submit a CDF Panelists Nomination Form and submit along with a resume for the person being nominated prior to February 17, 2012.

Mayor Bloomberg Opens the Pershing Square Signature Center

On January 31, 2012 Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Levin, and officials opened The Pershing Square Signature Center, the new home for Signature Theatre on 42nd Street between Dyer and 10th Avenues. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Center includes three theaters, rehearsal studios, and a public café, bar and bookstore. It will serve as a major hub for artists and audiences on Manhattan’s west side.
Read the press release.

Mayor Bloomberg Highlights Free and Low-Cost Cultural Events Occurring throughout the Summer

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg outlined some of the free and low-cost, family friendly cultural activities occurring throughout the five boroughs this summer. There are countless opportunities for New Yorkers and visitors to experience the creativity that makes New York City a great place to live, work and visit. New York City offers hundreds of events, exhibits and performances that are free or low-cost to the public. Call 311 or visit NYC.gov events calendar for more information on these and
other programs.
Read the release.