New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo announced the launch of “NYC Create in Place,” a pilot program designed to help preserve and expand creative spaces for cultural organizations and businesses across the city. The initiative includes a web portal that will centralize resources and provide technical assistance to organizations facing rising costs, navigating government processes, or seeking new spaces.
The program aims to address challenges in maintaining affordable cultural spaces in a city where increasing real estate costs have placed many organizations at risk of displacement. By offering tools such as curated resources, technical assistance, funding opportunities, and connections to available creative spaces, NYC Create in Place seeks to strengthen the city’s cultural infrastructure.
The initiative will also activate underutilized city-owned spaces, including storefronts, to provide new opportunities for cultural use. Through its newly formed interagency task force, the program will offer coordinated support to organizations in need, leveraging expertise from multiple city agencies to streamline processes and foster sustainable solutions.
The launch of NYC Create in Place is part of broader efforts outlined in the city’s economic recovery plan and its CreateNYC cultural plan, which prioritize the affordability and accessibility of creative spaces. The cultural sector, a cornerstone of New York City’s economy, supports 300,000 jobs and generates $110 billion annually.
The program, which positions New York City alongside London in implementing a comprehensive cultural preservation strategy, will also host workshops and panels starting in January 2025. These events will address issues such as commercial leases, nonprofit formation, and strategies for fostering affordable cultural spaces.
NYC Create in Place builds on other city initiatives aimed at supporting small businesses and community-driven spaces, reflecting the administration’s commitment to maintaining the vibrant cultural fabric that defines New York City. The program’s launch marks a significant step toward ensuring the long-term viability of the city’s creative and cultural sectors, which play a critical role in driving local economies and enriching communities across all five boroughs.
