Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
“The arts are the heart and soul of New York City,” Mayor de Blasio said.
By Forum Staff
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday announced the culmination of the New York City Artist Corps program with several showcases and hundreds of individual events happening across the boroughs this month.
Coinciding with National Arts and Humanities Month, the City Artist Corps Showcases are a citywide celebration driven by this once-in-a-generation investment in the city’s artists as a way of reconnecting residents to arts and culture and fostering a fair, equitable, and vibrant recovery for all, de Blasio said.
“The arts are the heart and soul of New York City, and City Artist Corps takes a page from the WPA for how to support creative workers as a way of fostering a fair, equitable, creative recovery for all,” Hizzoner said. “All month long, City Artist Corps members have been fanning out across the five boroughs, connecting with their neighbors and fellow New Yorkers and reminding us all of the amazing community we can create when we come together and participate in our city’s unrivaled cultural life.”
The New York City Artist Corps Showcases being held this October are:
Queens Theatre Showcase | October 16-17 and October 23-24
Queens Theatre is an organizing and venue partner for the New York City Artist Corps, working with over 30 artists as they present their projects to the public.
The Clemente Showcase | Through October 31
The Clemente will feature more than 30 events by City Artist Corps members in film, performance, dance, music, and pop-up exhibitions.
Street Lab Showcase | Multiple Locations through October 29
Street Lab is creating opportunities for City Artist Corps members to exhibit, perform, and showcase their work outdoors in restaurant sheds in partnership with Chelsea Market, as well as in other public spaces across the city alongside Street Lab programs and with community partners.
National Sawdust Showcase | October 25-28
National Sawdust will host performance showcases for 12 recipients of the City Artist Corps grants.
LaGuardia Performing Arts Center Showcase | October 27-29
LPAC will present City Artist Corps Showcases in a festival format in their Little Theater.
OpenCultureWORKS Showcase | Multiple Locations through October 30
OpenCultureWORKS Showcases are presented by NYC Department of Transportation and will feature City Artist Corps members.
“Artists are essential to the cultural spirit of our City and key contributors to New York’s recovery,” said Taryn Sacramone, executive director of Queens Theatre. “Through the City Artist Corps, artists are able to re-engage with the public while receiving critical financial support to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Queens Theatre is proud of its role as the lead organizing partner for the initiative, and we hope the Showcases and other events happening throughout the City will remind all New Yorkers of the importance of the arts in keeping our City moving forward on a positive trajectory.”
Beyond the showcase events, City Artist Corps members are putting on public engagements in parks, plazas, cafes, community venues, and other local, non-traditional art spaces across the city. See the full list of City Artist Corps members’ events happening through the end of October. View more information about all City Artist Corps programs at nyc.gov/cityartistcorps.
