News

On February 9, 2026, the Institute testified before the NYC Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs on affordability in the arts and cultural sector.

The Culture & Arts Policy Institute has released a new advocacy brief examining New York State’s reliance on federal cultural funding and the risks posed by ongoing federal budget instability.

Our new board members bring valuable perspectives from cultural policy, community advocacy, and systemic innovation, deepening the Institute’s ability to serve the culture and arts ecosystem amid evolving public policy challenges.

Lawmakers are clarifying that artist-focused housing is legal. The need stems from a larger truth: our public data systems fundamentally misrepresent who artists are.

This event will feature a presentation of a recent study by the Culture & Arts Policy Institute, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of leveraging open data to strengthen the cultural sector, enhance data literacy, and promote best practices across the city.

Last week, Mayor Adams unveiled the Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. We give you a first look at the investments in culture and arts.

Join us for a vital conversation about the future of culture and arts in New York City, bringing together mayoral candidates to share their visions, strategies, and commitments to the cultural life of our city.

We’ve made an 8-minute reel out of 1 hour of testimonies by cultural leaders during the last Council Hearing on the Arts and Cultural Budget. Take a listen: This is the sector’s situation as experienced by advocates and practitioners.

Last Friday, leaders representing advocacy, service, and cultural organizations participated in the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Hearing on the new permanent rule for the Cultural Development Fund (CDF). Their… Read more: Cultural Advocates and Leaders’ response to the proposed Rule for DCLA’s Cultural Development Fund

On February 5th, 2024, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) created an emergency rule for its peer-reviewed competitive grantmaking program, the Cultural Development Fund (CDF). The new rule included… Read more: About the New Rules for the Cultural Development Fund (CDF)

Thanks to the leadership of Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner for  New York  City’s Department of Culture Affairs (DCLA), all stakeholders of the Culture and Arts sector have the unprecedented opportunity to… Read more: Do you have ideas to improve the Cultural Development Fund? This is your chance.

Currently, in its eighth year, NYC Open Data Week (March 16th – 24th) commemorates the passage of Local Law 11 of 2012, a mandate from former Mayor Bloomberg requiring all… Read more: Our Open Data Week Recommendations

The Independent Budget Office (IBO) of New York City recently released a comprehensive report titled “Giving Some Back, Leaving Others Out: IBO’s Analysis of the Administration’s Second Consecutive Program to… Read more: Analyzing the Impact of Fiscal Adjustments on NYC’s Cultural Landscape

Tuesday, March 19, 6pm – BRIC Join us to imagine innovative ways open data practices can serve the Cultural & Arts sector and take the first step towards creating an… Read more: THE POWER OF TRANSPARENCY: Towards An Open Data Agenda For Culture & Arts