The NYC Candidate
Arts & Culture Pledge
We, the undersigned New York City 2021 candidates for public office, understand the importance of rebuilding one of New York’s most important sectors: Arts & Culture.
Arts & Culture is an economic engine for the City. According to a 2019 report from the Office of the Comptroller, the “Creative Economy” accounted for $110 billion in economic activity in 2017. NYC & Company’s research indicates that tourism accounted for $70 billion in economic activity in 2019. Every year, the Arts & Culture sector draws tens of millions of tourists who stay in our hotels, dine at our restaurants, and shop in our retail stores. The tax revenue generated fuels many essential services. The City’s economic future depends on a speedy revitalization of the Arts & Culture sector.
As we return from the pandemic, we cannot afford to simply return to normal: we must create a new normal - a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive arts economy.
By vigorously pursuing a worker-driven recovery, in collaboration with the City’s many entertainment unions, we will rebuild a more equitable Arts & Culture landscape. Together, we will build an industry that benefits more stakeholders across the City, and creates opportunities for historically underserved and under-resourced communities. For too long, the economic power of the arts has been bottled inside Manhattan; as we bring it back, we must ensure that the footprint is expanded to all five boroughs, providing funding, opportunities, and a cultural renaissance for every New Yorker. We will champion New York’s Arts & Culture Revival.
We call on all New York City candidates to sign this pledge and commit to the prioritization of Arts & Culture as the City rebounds from the pandemic.
Jeffrey Omura
City Council Candidate, District 6
Signed By:
City Council Candidates
Manhattan
Allie Ryan
District 2
Arthur Schwartz
District 3
Marni Halasa
District 3
Phelan Dante Fitzpatrick
District 3
Aleta LaFargud
District 3
Billy Freeland
District 5
Chris Sosa
District 5
David Gold
District 6
Sara Lind
District 6
Dan Cohen
District 7
Luis Tejada
District 7
Maria Ordoñez
District 7
Marti Allen-Cummings
District 7
Tamika Mapp
District 8
Joshua Clennon
District 9
Kristin Richardson Jordan
District 9
Mario Rosser
District 9
Ruth McDaniels
District 9
Angela Fernandez
District 10
Bronx
Marcos A. Sierra
District 11
Mino Lora
District 11
Queens
Hailing Chen
District 20
John Choe
District 20
Evie Hantzopolous
District 22
Debra Markell
District 23
Seth Breland
District 23
Jaslin Kaur
District 23
Alfonso Quiroz
District 25
Liliana Melo
District 25
Shekar Krishnan
District 25
Amit S. Bagga
District 26
Brent O'Leary
District 26
Denise Keehan-Smith
District 26
Glennis Gomez
District 26
Hailie Kim
District 26
Jonathan Bailey
District 26
Julia Forman
District 26
Julie Won
District 26
Sultan Maruf
District 26
Steven Raga
District 26
Al-Hassan Kanu
District 27
Edwin K. Wong
District 29
Eliseo D Labayen
District 29
Evan F. Boccardi
District 29
Marcelle Lashley-Kaboré
District 29
Felicia Singh
District 32
Kaled Alamarie
District 32
Raimondo Graziano
District 32
Shaeleigh Severino
District 32
Brooklyn
Sabrina Gates
District 33
Stu Sherman
District 33
Terrell Finner
District 34
Crystal Hudson
District 35
Curtis Harris
District 35
Deirdre Levy
District 35
Renee Collymore
District 35
Michael Hollingsworth
District 35
Regina Edwards
District 36
Robert Waterman
District 36
Rodrigo Camarena
District 38
Brandon West
District 39
Justin Krebs
District 39
Doug Schneider
District 39
Shahana Hanif
District 39
Cecilia Cortez
District 40
Edwin Raymond
District 40
Harriet Hines
District 40
Kenya Handy-Hilliard
District 40
Rita Joseph
District 40
Blake Morris
District 40
Nikki Lucas
District 42
Wilfredo Florentino
District 42
Tiffany Tucker-Pryor
District 46
Zuri Jackson
District 46
Joseph Packer
District 47
Kelvin Richards
District 49
Ranti Ogunleye
District 49
Troy McGhie
District 49
Mayoral Candidates
Art Chang
Christopher Scott Krietchman
Carlos Menchaca
Scott Stringer
Bill Pepitone
Vitaly Filipchenko
Edward Cullen
Quanda Francis
Stacey Prussman
Borough President Candidates
Robert Elstein
Brooklyn Borough Presidential Candidate
Sammy Ravelo
Bronx Borough Presidential Candidate
Diana Sharon Sanchez
Queens Borough Presidential Candidate
Comptroller Candidates
Zachary Iscol
NYC Comptroller Candidate