An Open Letter to Zohran: Support and Protect Art Workers

In a time where leadership transitions mark pivotal moments of change and opportunity, the election of Mayor-Elect Mamdani ushers in a promising era for New York City—one where the forgotten voices of working people and immigrants may find new resonance. But as plans are laid to address long-standing issues, it is crucial to remember the indispensable role of arts and culture as a means of empowerment and community cohesion. As the vibrant tapestry of New York City’s arts sector displays, cultural expression is more than a pursuit; it is a public good deserving of equitable support.

Currently, a troubling trend emerges within the cultural landscape: artists thriving with recognition and fair compensation often emerge from privileged backgrounds, leaving behind working-class creatives who lack the luxury of time and resources to hone their craft. The vision put forth by Mayor-Elect Mamdani, which includes rent freezes, free buses, and universal childcare, promises transformative change that can uplift the cultural sector by alleviating these barriers.

However, the current inequities within the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) funding must also be closely examined. Despite being the largest arts funder in the United States, DCLA’s budget allocation reveals glaring regional disparities that exacerbate long-standing inequalities. Manhattan’s cultural institutions, such as The Met, receive a disproportionate share of funding compared to those in Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Mayor-Elect Mamdani has the opportunity to redefine this status quo and elevate arts funding to align with the values of equity and inclusivity.

Increasing the DCLA budget to just one percent of the city’s total budget could harness resources to invigorate local arts programs across all neighborhoods, fostering opportunities for artists and communities previously underrepresented within the cultural dialogue. As funding models evolve, embracing diverse recipients—extending equal opportunity to non-traditional groups, collectives, and individual artists—ensures a cultural landscape reflective of the city’s vast diversity.

Equally important is the shift from project-based grants to stabilizing general operating support through the Cultural Development Fund (CDF). This restructuring would sustain organizations’ capacity to innovate and serve the public without being hampered by the limitations of piecemeal project funding. Anchoring support in this way safeguards the autonomy and growth of cultural organizations and avoids reliance on unpaid labor.

Transparency in funding distributions remains a pillar of accountability and trust. Ensuring DCLA’s data is open and comprehensible empowers stakeholders to advocate and strategize effectively for equitable distribution of resources—an imperative step as articulated by advocacy organizations in their appeals to previous city administrations.

As New York City stands at a crossroads, the intersection of arts and politics marks a transformative journey. Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s commitment to housing reforms, funding transparency, and restructuring the DCLA budget holds the potential to breathe new life into the city’s storied cultural sector—the backbone of its communities and an enduring beacon of creative possibility. By grounding public support in fairness and accessibility, New York can aspire to serve as a model city for arts and culture that prioritizes public good over the capricities of market forces.