Actress Sigourney Weaver was among the members of the arts community to join Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer’s discussion “Culture Vision NYC: Envisioning a City Sustained by Culture and the Arts.”
“This city would not be the great city that it is without the arts and without the cultural contributions from so many people…,” Van Bramer said. “We want to make sure that everyone understands that.”
Van Bramer hosted three panel discussions during the Saturday, May 21 event, which was held at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. The discussions focused on the questions “What do we want culture in New York City to look like in 2030?” “Artists as cultural ambassadors: What role do artists play in creating a culturally sustained city?” and “In a crowded market, how do you effectively advocate for the arts?”
In addition to Weaver, participants included Museum of the Moving Image Executive Director Carl Goodman; MoMA P.S. 1 Klaus Biesenbach; Flea Theatre founder Jim Simpson; writer and activist Charles Rice-Gonzalez; Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York Executive Director Ginny Louloudes; producer Warrington Hudlin; opera singer Lauren Flanigan; modern dancer Arthur Aviles; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin; Senator Jose Serrano; New York City Department of Education Office of Arts and Special Projects Executive Director Paul King; Councilmember Letitia James; and Council on the Arts and Humanities for State Island Executive Director Melanie Franklin Cohn.
Weaver described art as being like food in that everyone needs it. And, although she said drastic funding cuts to the arts are a struggle and concern, she feels New York City has an advantage.
“I think we do have the great advantage of traditionally being such a huge entry point for cultures into our country and an entry point for kids all over the world to come and go for it [pursuing the arts],” she said.
Van Bramer emphasized the importance of creating “a dialogue that will help shape as well as protect the future of culture and the arts in New York City.”
Levin said, “Non-profit culture has long been a mainstay of the city’s economy, identity and quality of line in every neighborhood of all five boroughs. Today’s conversation with Councilman Van Bramer and other dynamic leaders provides an essential opportunity to discuss the future of our visionary creative sector.”
In addition to the discussions, “Culture Vision NYC” included performances and short film screenings.
