New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has reached a “handshake agreement” with the city council to include a record $323.8m for culture in the municipal budget for 2027. According to Isa Farfan of Hyperallergic, who broke the story, this is the most the city has ever earmarked for its Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), surpassing last year’s record of $299.6m. The total city budget for 2027 is $125.8bn.
Mamdani told Hyperallergic that artists were the “beating heart” of the city. “They fill our streets, stages, galleries and neighbourhoods with art and ideas that draw people from around the world,” he said. “But a crushing affordability crisis has threatened to drive out the very artists who have long defined life in this city.” (Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, is an artist.)
This news comes on the heels of the announcement that rent would be frozen for up to two years for New Yorkers living in rent-stabilised apartments, which promises to make the city more affordable for many people, including artists.
The DCLA funding far exceeds the city council’s preliminary budget plan, which called for a little less than $216m for culture. The handshake deal also establishes a new Cultural Stability Fund ($10m for each of the next three years) to help struggling arts organisations “experiencing unexpected or emergency circumstances”.