The New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Cultural Affairs Designate Not-for-Profit Organizations for Promoting Arts Clusters

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), in cooperation with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), today announced that Hope Community, Inc. and the Dumbo Improvement District have been selected as lead organizations for Promoting Arts Clusters, a marketing campaign and tourism incentive program designed to attract visitors and increase the revenues of arts and cultural attractions throughout New York City. NYCEDC will provide a grant of $25,000 to each organization, to develop and implement a marketing campaign that will maximize audience attraction for the area’s art cluster attractions including reaching out to new and existing audiences through new media channels. Hope Community, Inc. will partner with El Museo del Barrio and Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone on “El Barrio Today Arts Cluster,” and the Dumbo Improvement District will work with local groups to form “Discover DUMBO :: See the Other Side.”

“While it is well known that Manhattan is home to world-renowned arts and cultural institutions, many unique clusters of arts organizations in neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs are worthy of attention as well,” said NYCEDC President Seth W. Pinsky. “The high quality of the responses we received from clusters in all five boroughs is testimony to the diversity and prevalence of New York City’s cultural community.”

“Culture is one of this City’s signature industries, and the only one dispersed throughout every neighborhood in all five boroughs,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin. “The Promoting Arts Clusters initiative is a great opportunity for the City to reinforce the extraordinary contribution that the arts sector makes to economic development and we are excited to see how this project takes shape in DUMBO and East Harlem.”

The “El Barrio Today Arts Cluster” includes Art for Change, MediaNoche, La Casa de la Herencia Cultural Puertorriquena, Harlem Arts Alliance, and East Harlem Business Capital Corporation and will present a multifaceted marketing campaign and tourism incentive program to run from May 2010 to May 2011 to attract resident and visitors from New York City and the tri-state area. More than 20 East Harlem businesses have already confirmed participation in the program that is designed to create a self-sustaining infrastructure after completion of the planning and implementation phases. Participating businesses including Piatto D’Oro, Lechonera El Barrio, Casa Latina Music Shop, Gong Modern Thai Dining Restaurant, and G San Dojo School of Self Defense will offer discounts for arts cluster visitors and include the “El Barrio Today Arts Cluster” logo in advertising. The businesses will also be listed in a pocket map and coupon booklet that will be part of the tourism incentive program. El Museo del Barrio is participating as a partner in this project thanks to the support of the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation.

"El Barrio is home to a variety of arts and cultural programs and institutions that are both entertaining and enlightening,” said Hope Community, Inc. Executive Director Walter Roberts. “The El Barrio Today Arts Cluster showcases the unique talents of the people that live, work, and love the neighborhood. Once you explore the community’s many arts venues with the “El Barrio” edge, and dine at one of local restaurants, I am sure you will want to return over and over again..."

Led by the Dumbo Improvement District, the DUMBO Arts Cluster includes nine organizations including Artists in Residence, Inc., Brooklyn Arts Council, DUMBO Arts Center, Galapagos Art Space, The Powerhouse Arena and Powerhouse Books, Smack Mellon Studios, St. Ann’s Warehouse, and Culture 41, a division of Two Trees Management Co., that will join together to create “Discover DUMBO :: See the Other Side.” Over the past few years, the nine participants have collaborated on a range of events and strategies, including potential marketing and cross promotional opportunities. “Discover DUMBO :: See the Other Side” represents the next step toward positioning the neighborhood as a rare stand-out within New York City’s arts community. The marketing program will combine social networking with established local and national media sites and will employ grassroots and traditional marketing techniques to maximize impact.

“DUMBO’s selection as one of the City of New York’s two official Art Clusters proves what we, here, have known all along – DUMBO is undoubtedly one of New York City’s most dynamic and creative communities,” said Dumbo Improvement District Executive Director Kate Kerrigan. “The Dumbo Improvement District is honored to collaborate with the Department of Cultural Affairs, NYCEDC, and our neighbors in the arts to encourage visitors, from both far and near, to see, experience and truly, Discover DUMBO – the gateway to Brooklyn.”

Promoting Arts Clusters, announced by Mayor Bloomberg in September 2009, is one of a suite of initiatives designed to support the 1,400 nonprofit cultural groups, 40,000 employees and tens-of-thousands of artists that make up New York City’s cultural sector. Hope Community, Inc. and Dumbo Improvement District were selected out of 14 proposals submitted from neighborhoods across all five boroughs, including Chelsea and the Lower East Side in Manhattan; Flushing, Queens; Central Brooklyn, and the North Shore of Staten Island.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC’s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City’s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities. Find us on Facebook to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.

About DCA
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) supports and sustains New York City's cultural life by investing in programs, operations and capital improvements at over 900 other nonprofit cultural organizations throughout the five boroughs. Cultural organizations have long been at the forefront of serving individuals of all ages and physical abilities through ongoing cultural programming. For more information about cultural programming throughout New York City, please visit DCA's NYCulture Calendar.