Sustaining Community

The Sustaining Community event series addresses this issue by creating a dedicated space for artists, arts administrators, and community members to connect, share resources, and collaborate on a monthly basis. The series emphasizes the critical need to support artists in their neighborhoods, equip communities with tools to sustain their creative practices, and foster deeper relationships across sectors. By empowering artists and administrators alike, the series works to ensure that arts and culture remain a cornerstone of equitable, sustainable, and thriving neighborhoods.

"Artists and creative communities are vital to the cultural and economic fabric of New York City neighborhoods, yet they are increasingly priced out of the areas where their work is most impactful. Gentrification, rising costs of living, and limited access to resources have made it difficult for artists to sustain their practices, particularly in strategically undervalued neighborhoods facing additional social, economic, and environmental challenges. Simultaneously, arts administrators and cultural leaders often work in silos, lacking the collaborative frameworks needed to effectively support these artists and their communities. This disconnect undermines the potential for arts and culture to foster resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability in neighborhoods that are at risk of losing their creative identity. Communities themselves often remain unaware of the resources available to support their art practices and sustainability goals, further compounding these challenges. Without intentional efforts to build connections across divisions and provide accessible resources, artists and their work will continue to be displaced, eroding the vibrancy and diversity that define New York City."

Youth (under 24)

Older Adults (65 +)

Public Housing Residents

Justice Impacted People

People with Disabilities

Limited English Speakers

Immigrants / Migrants

Veterans

LGBTQIA+ People

Parents

Unhoused People