ABOUT THE PROJECT

Museum Hue, NYSCA, and Hester Street are working collaboratively to convene, engage, and research Black, Latine, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and People of Color arts entities throughout NYS to support the development of strategies and information that promotes greater equity in resources and self-determination for People of Color arts entities in the NYS cultural landscape. The final product will be a highly graphic report with recommendations for change, as well as an interactive web-based map that will provide city agencies, policy makers, philanthropists, peer organizations, arts and culture enthusiasts, and the general public with further information about New York State’s rich People of Color arts and culture sector, and how best to promote and support them. 

Currently, there’s no official or comprehensive map that centralizes information about the many existing People of Color arts entities of all scales and sizes in New York State. Informal crowdsourcing efforts by individuals have tried to fill the need; however, many gaps in data remain around New York State-based People of Color arts entities, as well as a clear definition of the criteria that makes an entity People of Color. This data is lacking particularly in rural areas and the villages of New York State. There is little to no data for New York State Arts Councils and Community Regrant Partners to utilize when searching for People of Color lead Arts Entities to partner with or regrant money to.  

This lack of information has a direct correlation with stark and persistent gaps in funding for People of Color arts entities, perpetuating generational racial inequities of access to and support for People of Color arts and culture landscape. 

An inclusive process to define and map New York State’s People of Color arts ecosystem will serve as a foundational tool for furthering an equitable and racially just state. This process will also serve as a valuable tool to inform and encourage a variety of funders, as well as cultural entities, workers and supporters to understand the full landscape of arts and culture assets in the city; thus, enabling the adoption of intentional and targeted strategies to support the long-term stability and sustainability of People of Color arts and culture.

The process will result in a highly dynamic, user-friendly, multi-dimensional searchable resource that captures critical information about the work, the people, the assets and opportunities fueling People of Color arts activities throughout New York State. The goal of such a resource is to increase the visibility among producers, presenters, and audiences for these entities, and to expand and diversify both public and private investments in People of Color arts entities. Lastly, it will foster more interconnected relationships, cooperation, and solidarity among the People of Color arts entities themselves — a vital part of the New York State arts scene — through conversations, meetups, and joint knowledge creation. This will enable People of Color arts entities to collectively facilitate and promote tested inclusive and equitable policies and practices that can benefit the entire sector.  

The findings and insights gathered from the process will also be captured in a report that will provide tangible recommendations for future actions and opportunities targeted at government, private philanthropy, and the arts and culture field.

The final report and map will be released in early 2023. 

PROJECT PARTNERS

The founding of HueArts NYS is a collaboration between Museum Hue and Hester Street, two organizations that are led by and center the perspectives and experiences of Black, Latine, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and all People of Color.

FUNDERS