PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Caron Atlas, Director of Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts New York (NOCD-NY), on Public Space Activation and Cultural District Support
1:23:04
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165 sec
Caron Atlas from Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts New York (NOCD-NY) testified about the importance of supporting naturally occurring cultural districts (NOCDs) and their role in community revitalization. She emphasized the need for community self-determination, sustained partnerships, and long-term flexible funding to help NOCDs flourish.
- Atlas presented recommendations from NOCD-NY's reimagining New York City visioning sessions, including support for cultural hubs and networks with dedicated funding for NOCDs.
- She stressed the importance of centering community decision-making in public space management and programming, and addressing barriers to participation such as permits and funding delays.
- Atlas provided an example of a successful alternative to Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) through a discretionary grant supporting the Kensington Cultural Council and their work with the Avenue C Plaza.
Caron Atlas
1:23:04
Hi.
1:23:05
I'm Karen Atlas from Naturally occurring Cultural Districts, New York, and we're delighted that you're having this hearing.
1:23:13
We're city wide alliance of cultural networks and community leaders working to revitalize New York City from the neighborhood up, and we were part of the create NYPD.
1:23:22
NOCDNY came together in the wake of the 2009 economic crisis in response to the vision, needs, and resilience of our communities.
1:23:31
We drew on the idea of naturally occurring cultural districts as an organic and affirmative framework for how arts and culture can be integrated in community recovery and transformation.
1:23:44
What is needed for NOCDs to flourish?
1:23:47
Community self determination, strong cultural hubs and neighborhood networks, sustains cross sector partnerships, leadership development, peer learning affordable space, activated public spaces, progressive policies that further equity, and long term flexible funding that is responsive to the unique context of communities and the ways that small organizations work.
1:24:14
I've shared with you a booklet with recommendations from our reimagining New York City visioning sessions held with partners across the city.
1:24:23
I'm just gonna highlight a couple of them.
1:24:26
Support the cultural hubs and networks that strengthen our communities with dedicated funding for NOCDs.
1:24:33
A community cultural hub program with long term public and private support could play a critical role.
1:24:40
Center community decision making in the design development, management, and programming of public spaces.
1:24:47
Proactively increased equity by resourcing groups who have historically had little access to public space.
1:24:55
Addressing barriers to participation, and I can talk to you about permits and funding delays.
1:25:02
Recognize and support community based forms of infrastructure, in addition to bids?
1:25:08
And can I just add one example, and the bid alternative as you put it?
1:25:14
So an example is a discretionary grant we got from council member, Shahana Hanifia SBS, in support of the Kensington Cultural Council made up of small cultural organizations serving immigrant communities in Kensington, and we serve as the programming partner for the Avenue C Plaza.
1:25:36
Another support for that work was DOT's Plaza Equity Program, which we hope will continue.
1:25:42
Thank you for the opportunity to to testify, and I can talk more about the alternative bid to bid's issue.
