News for 2025

DCLA Announces "Last Call" For Artists to Design Monuments Honoring Billie Holiday and Dr. Helen Rodríguez Trías
The projects were restarted last year as part of She Built NYC, an effort to commission public monuments honoring women influential in the city's history. 
March 24, 2025
Learn more about She Built NYC. 

City to Begin $3.5 Million Renovation of Selma's House at the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens
DCLA and the Department of Design and Construction announced a $3.5 million renovation of “Selma’s House" to provide more open and accessible community and administrative space. The home was bequeathed by owner and friend to the Armstrongs Selma Heraldo on her death in 2011 to the Louis Armstrong House Museum.
March 6, 2025 
Learn more about the project.

Materials for the Arts Presents "Unraveling Threads," a New Exhibition by MFTA Artist-in-Residence Borinquen Gallo 
Gallo manipulates found materials such as caution tape, found flowers, electrical wires, and plastic bags to create woven tapestries exploring themes of community, culture, resistance, womanhood, and the joys and struggles inherent within our identities. The exhibition is on view at MFTA through May 8, 2025. 
February 20, 2025 
Learn more about the exhibition.

Mayor Adams, DCLA Commissioner Cumbo Award Nearly $60 Million to Over 1,000 Nonprofits through Cultural Development Fund, Largest Fund Investment in City History
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Laurie Cumbo announced a record $59.3 million in Cultural Development Fund (CDF) grants to 1,078 cultural organizations across the five boroughs. 
February 18, 2025
Learn more about this year's CDF.

DCLA Cuts the Ribbon on a Major Renovation at Pioneer Works
A new HVAC and elevator system will make the renowned Brooklyn cultural center, located in a historic factory building, more open and accessible than ever before. 
February 13, 2025
Learn more about the Pioneer Works renovation. 

Materials for the Arts Launches Open Call for the 2025 Young Designers Program 
This announcement comes as a part of "Jobs Week" and marks the second cohort of the Young Designers program, which MFTA launched last year to support emerging fashion designers with a stipend, free materials, and dedicated technical assistance to advance in their careers. 
February 5, 2025 
Learn more about MFTA Young Designers.

DCLA and NYCEDC Join Partners to Cut the Ribbon the L10 Cultural Center
The new, 65,000 square foot facility located in Downtown Brooklyn was built with $84 million in city support and provides new space for four cultural tenants - 651 ARTS, BAM, Brooklyn Public Library, and MoCADA. 
January 28, 2025
Learn more about the L10 Cultural Center. 

NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Releases New List of Museums and Cultural Venues with Free or Suggested Admission for New Yorkers 
Commissioner Laurie Cumbo released an updated list of 130+ cultural venues across the five boroughs with free or suggested admission for city residents, and encouraged New Yorkers to explore and engage with the city's diverse cultural landscape. 
January 22, 2025
See the full list of venues with free admission for New Yorkers.