News for 2017

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City Announces $40.3 Million in Grants for Local Arts and Cultural Organizations

The Mayor’s Office, City Council, and DCLA have announced funding for over 900 organizations as part of the largest-ever allocation to the Cultural Development Fund, including support for priorities in the CreateNYC cultural plan.
December 21, 2017
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In its Fourth Year, IDNYC Remains Free with New Cultural Benefits

For 2018, three new groups - International Print Center, King Manor, and SculptureCenter - join the list of over 40 cultural institutions offering member benefits to IDNYC cardholders.
December 19, 2017
Read the press release.

Materials for the Arts Featured in Global Report Highlighting the Intersection of Culture and Climate Change

In its new handbook “Culture and Climate Change,” the World Cities Culture Forum has highlighted the City’s Materials for the Arts creative reuse program as a model for cities around the world.
December 5, 2017
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Brooklyn Children’s Museum Receives $3.3 Million in City Funding to House New Location of Brooklyn Public Library’s Brower Park Library

This unique partnership enhances Brooklyn Children’s Museum programming while giving the Brower Park Library a new, state-of-the-art space.
October 27, 2017
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NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Announces Open Calls for Two Programs Partnering Artists and Arts Organizations with City Agencies to Address Urgent Civic Issues and Enhance Public Services

These new and expanded programs – the Public Artist in Residence program and Mayor’s Grant for Cultural Impact - follow recommendations from the CreateNYC cultural plan to coordinate the work of City agencies integrating arts and culture and increase support for programs in underserved communities.
October 18, 2017
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Second Stage’s Renovation of the Historic Hayes Theater Receives Over $14 Million in City Support

The City added an additional $2.35 million this year to support the renovation of the historic Midtown theater.
September 29, 2017
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Grand Opening of the Flea Theater: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Opening Performances

Commissioner Finkelpearl joins City officials and the leadership of the Flea Theater, the 21 year old off-off-Broadway theater, to unveil its new home at 20 Thomas Street.
September 28, 2017
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NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray Announces Partnership between Gracie Mansion Conservancy and MCC Theater

This partnership will provide 75 youths from across the City with tickets to attend productions in MCC’s 2017-18 season.
September 20, 2017
Learn more about the partnership.

CUNY’s Center for Urban Research Releases Study Findings that Shaped Arts-Education Strategies in New York City’s First-Ever Cultural Plan, CreateNYC

The study found a strong correlation between English language proficiency and access to arts education, informing key recommendations in the CreateNYC cultural plan.
September 19, 2017
Learn more about the study.

CUNY Cultural Corps Expands in its Second Year, Nearly Doubling the Number of Paid Student Internships with NYC Cultural Institutions

Over 127 CUNY students will begin paid internships with 62 partner organizations, expanding access to paid positions in the cultural sector for CUNY students from all five boroughs.
September 8, 2017
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City Announces Selection of Collaborative, Community-Based Art Installation Ark for the Arts Addressing Climate Change in Red Hook, Brooklyn

Red Hook residents selected Ark for the Arts by artists Isabelle Garbani & Jeannine Bardo from nine proposals. Local students will build the bicycle-powered Ark, which will then serve as a platform for programming by a range of community partners.
August 16, 2017
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Mayor de Blasio Announces CreateNYC: A Cultural Plan for All New Yorkers

Following months of public engagement with nearly 200,000 New Yorkers, CreateNYC provides a framework for achieving greater cultural equity, inclusion, and access for every resident.
July 19, 2017
Learn more about the plan.

New York Works: NYCEDC and DCLA Announce 50,000 Square Feet of Artist Workspace at Brooklyn Army Terminal

ArtBuilt Brooklyn will bring new subdivided artist studios and affordable workspace to Sunset Park. The new space marks major progress for the Mayor’s Affordable Real Estate for Artists (AREA) initiative and efforts to create 10,000 good creative and cultural jobs.
July 14, 2017
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On June 16, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and 19 Cultural Organizations on City-Owned Property Join #DaylightHour Campaign to Reduce Energy Consumption

For one hour on June 16, the Department of Cultural Affairs and 19 participating cultural facilities will turn off the lights in sunlit spaces to highlight the importance of reducing energy consumption in NYC buildings.
June 16, 2017
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The Department of Cultural Affairs Announces Open Call for Proposals for Public Art Installations in the Bronx and Brooklyn

"The Grand Concourse is one of New York City's great thoroughfares and, along with so many of our vibrant public spaces, it deserves to be honored with great public art," said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl. Proposals for projects along both Grand Concourse in the Bronx and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn and Queens are due on June 25.
May 31, 2017
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NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Public Artist in Residence Tania Bruguera Launches “CycleNews”

Initiated by Tania Bruguera in connection with her role as Public Artist in Residence with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, CycleNews aims to build trust between government communities and local government by opening direct two-way conduits of communication facilitated by dozens of women on bicycles.
May 30, 2017
Find out how.

City Reminds New Yorkers of Upcoming Deadline to Apply for Loft Law Protection Under NY State Law

The deadline is June 15 for tenants and building owners to apply to preserve safe, affordable housing and workspace in former commercial and manufacturing zones or mixed use buildings.
April 27, 2017
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Open Call: The Department of Cultural Affairs is Seeking Proposals for a Climate Change Public Art Project in Red Hook, Brooklyn

Artists or artist teams are encouraged to apply to create a temporary public artwork for the neighborhood of Red Hook. Successful proposals should relate to the history of the neighborhood and climate change. Deadline for proposals is Earth Day, April 22, 2017.
March 21, 2017
Learn more and apply. Read the press release.

NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the City's Three Library Systems Launch Public Engagement Partnerships for CreateNYC

"The cultural plan has provided us with an amazing opportunity to get out and meet with New Yorkers where they live, work, and experience culture," said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl. Department of Cultural Affairs announced a partnership with the city's three library systems to offer public engagement for CreateNYC at dozens of library branches across the city. Materials will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Bangla, and Arabic, depending on the communities served by each branch.
March 15, 2017
Learn more about the partnership.

Open Call: Percent for Art for 40th Precinct Community Room in Mott Haven, Bronx

The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs' Percent for Art Program is seeking proposals from artists or artist groups to create a permanent public art commission in the community room at the 40th Precinct in Mott Haven. The deadline is March 31.
March 15, 2017
Learn more and apply.

New Research Shows How Arts and Culture Improve Health, Safety and Well-being

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania’s Social Impact of the Arts project shows how arts and culture improve health, safety, and well-being in New York City’s low income neighborhoods.
March 9, 2017
Learn more about the study.

The Fiscal 2018 Cultural Development Fund Application Period is Now Closed

The deadline for Cultural Development Fund (CDF) applications was February 13, 2017. The Department of Cultural Affairs is no longer accepting applications for Fiscal 2018 program funding.
February 15, 2017
Learn more about the agency's Programs funding process.

Open Call for FY18 Cultural Development Fund Panelists

Now through Monday, February 20, the Department of Cultural Affairs is accepting nominations from individuals interested in participating as or recommending panelists for the Cultural Development Fund application review process. Panelists should have knowledge of the agency and the constituency it serves, demonstrate expertise in one or more cultural disciplines, and (for borough-specific panels) be familiar with the cultural community of a specific borough.
February 3, 2017
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Open Call: Percent for Art for Woodhaven Select Bus Service

The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs' Percent for Art Program invites artists and/or designers to submit entries for consideration for the Woodhaven Select Bus Service street improvement project. Up to two artist will be selected for the permanent public art commission.
January 13, 2017
Learn more about this opportunity.

NYC Theater Subdistrict Council (TSC) Announces Over $2M to Increase Diversity and Opportunities in Theater Workforce

11 grants to theaters in Manhattan's Theater Subdistrict and around the city will support a broad range of paid fellowship, mentorship, professional training, and career development programs for behind-the-scenes roles. The programs will connect Broadway and the theater community to new talent while increasing access for individuals historically underrepresented in the professional theater community.
January 13, 2017
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Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Mark-Viverito Announce IDNYC will Remain Free in Third Year and Include 11 New Cultural Benefit Partners.

IDNYC will remain free in 2017 and is now processing full enrollments under a new policy that does not involve the retention of cardholders' personal background documents. Cardholders will have access to free memberships at 40 of the city's premiere cultural organizations, including 11 new benefit partners.
January 13, 2017
Learn more about new IDNYC benefits.