Diya Vij Appointed as Culture Commissioner for New York City

Diya Vij has been appointed as New York City’s new culture commissioner, following rumors circulating in the local art community. Prior to this role, Vij served as vice president of curatorial and arts programs at Powerhouse Arts, a Brooklyn nonprofit, and was part of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s transition team. She succeeds Laurie Cumbo at the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA).

An experienced curator, Vij has held various key positions with organizations like Creative Time and the High Line, and has prior experience with the DCLA from 2014 to 2019. Her career in the art world began at the Queens Museum in 2010, under Tom Finkelpearl, who later appointed her to the DCLA when he became commissioner.

Vij is known for her community-focused approach and belief in the omnipresence of art, having co-launched the Public Artists in Residence (PAIR) program, which integrates artists into city agencies to address civic challenges with creative solutions. At Creative Time, she established the CTHQ, a collaborative space for social and economic justice, initiated the Research & Development Fellowship for socially engaged artists, and revitalized the Creative Time Summit after a pause since 2019.

Mayor Mamdani praised Vij as a “visionary and deeply thoughtful leader,” emphasizing her understanding of art as essential to the city. Under her leadership, the city aims to sustain its artists and ensure all New Yorkers can experience the creative energy that art brings.