FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC INPUT
Starting in August 2016, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Hester Street worked together with artists, cultural organizations, New York City agencies, arts and cultural experts, local leaders, and community residents to collect data and public input to inform the cultural plan.
Over a six-month period, the team created a variety of opportunities for expansive cross-sections of residents from all five boroughs to participate. This process sought to develop a clear picture of the experiences, values, and cultural priorities of New Yorkers from all walks of life.
Along with a broad range of research, data, and other inputs, feedback from everyday New Yorkers shaped a set of comprehensive strategies for sustaining and supporting arts and culture throughout the city.
PRINCIPLES
What follows are the guiding principles that have informed public engagement and the development of the cultural plan. These principles provided a lens to evaluate the suggestions, recommendations, and strategies for achieving the goals of CreateNYC.
EQUITY
Acknowledge the rights of all people to participate, create, and celebrate all histories, cultures, and creative expression.
Recognize the role, contribution, leadership, expertise, and right to self-determination of all communities, large and small.
ACCESS
Encourage broad and equitable distribution of and participation in cultural activities throughout the city.
Remove barriers to participation for those least able to participate.
INCLUSION
Proactively plan for just and fair inclusion so all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential regardless of ability.
GROWTH & LEADERSHIP
Support the continued growth of New York City as a global center of leadership in the arts and culture.
INTERCONNECTION
Support a healthy cultural ecology.
Our fates are linked inextricably. Support the interdependence of groups, neighborhoods, and institutions across demographics, disciplines, budget sizes, and geographies.
Recognize that arts and culture are an essential part of healthy neighborhoods and a thriving city.
ISSUES
The legislation mandating the development of CreateNYC spelled out a number of priorities that the cultural plan should address. The public engagement process revealed additional issues that were important to residents. The following chapters are organized by the issue areas CreateNYC sought to address:
EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Equitable access to opportunities, services, and resources across New York City’s diverse populations and neighborhoods.
AFFORDABILITY
Live, work, and presentation space must be affordable relative to income for artists and cultural organizations.
ARTS, CULTURE, AND SCIENCE EDUCATION
Support and increase culturally-relevant, diverse, and inclusive arts and science education in and out of school.
CITYWIDE COORDINATION
Arts and cultural funding, collaboration, and coordination across City agencies.
SOCIAL AN ECONOMIC IMPACT
Support the role of arts and culture in an equitable economy and healthy communities.
NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER
Prevent displacement of culture and communities through participatory planning and community development.
ARTS AND CULTURE IN PUBLIC SPACE
How public art, artists, and programming are implemented and supported.
HEALTH OF THE CULTURAL SECTOR
Create conditions to support individual and organizational members of the arts, culture, and science fields to achieve their full potential.