New York City’s first ever Cultural Plan is fresh off the presses! Hester Street worked with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts-NY and arts and cultural and other community-based organizations throughout the city to engage nearly 200,000 New Yorkers — the foundation of this blueprint for an equitable, inclusive and resilient cultural future for our city.

In the Plan, the City has committed to increasing support for arts and culture in under-resourced communities and ensuring that the staff and leadership of arts and cultural organizations reflect the rich diversity of New York. CreateNYC also addresses critical issues of affordability; arts, culture and science education; social and economic impact, and; public space, among others.

Thank you for your participation! It has been a privilege to work with a broad swath of NYC’s cultural community, and with the thousands of New Yorkers who gave their time, insights and enthusiasm over these past 8 months.

Check out the #CreateNYC process, engagement, strategies and implementation in the full plan here, and don’t stop creating, NYC!

UPDATE 9/14/17: The New York City Council is holding an oversight hearing on NYC’s first-ever comprehensive cultural plan, Wednesday, September 20th, 1:00 at City Hall. This is a great opportunity to let the Council know what you think of the Plan. The hearing is open to the public.