New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Laurie Cumbo have announced a record-breaking $59.3 million in Cultural Development Fund (CDF) grants, supporting 1,078 cultural organizations across all five boroughs.

This historic investment—the largest in city history—aims to strengthen New York City’s thriving arts and cultural sector, supporting everything from theater, film, dance, and music to visual arts and heritage preservation.

The funding, allocated through a competitive, peer-reviewed grant process, includes $51.9 million from the Mayor’s Office and $7.4 million from the New York City Council. The Adams administration had previously set a record for the largest-ever city investment in cultural funding in Fiscal Year 2023.

Mayor Adams emphasized the significance of the investment, stating: “To make New York City the best place to raise a family, we need good-paying jobs and vibrant cultural organizations; these grants will help us support both by bolstering our museums, music venues, and much more.”

DCLA Commissioner Laurie Cumbo echoed this sentiment, highlighting the vital role of cultural organizations in shaping the city’s identity: “Simply put, there is no New York City without the cultural sector that strengthens our communities, drives our economy, and makes us the creative capital of the world. The work that goes into making our cultural sector thrive starts with the 1,000+ nonprofits that we’re proud to support through the Cultural Development Fund.”

This year’s CDF also expands initiatives to make NYC’s cultural sector more inclusive and equitable, with additional funding targeting non-English speakers, multilingual learners, people with disabilities, low-income communities, individual artists, and small nonprofits. Notable allocations include the Language Access Fund, which grants 64 organizations an extra $10,000 each for bilingual and multilingual programming; the Disability Forward Fund, providing 42 organizations with an additional $10,000 each to support artists and audiences with disabilities; and the CDF Equity Fund, distributing $2 million to 264 organizations in neighborhoods with high poverty rates.

The Adams administration has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to arts and culture, with a record $254 million investment in the city’s cultural sector as part of the FY25 budget. Recent initiatives include renovations and expansions at institutions such as Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Weeksville Heritage Center, The Bronx Museum, and Nuyorican Poets Café.

New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar praised the investment, noting its economic and social impact: “Each dollar in funding generates $8 in economic activity. Today, we celebrate an unprecedented $59.3 million investment in 1,078 organizations across all five boroughs, taking our arts scene to new heights.” Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine added: “Our diverse cultural sector is an enormous part of what sets our city apart. Cultural development that centers inclusivity and equity is a win for every New Yorker.”

With this landmark investment, Mayor Adams and DCLA are cementing New York City’s status as the global epicenter of arts and culture, ensuring that the city’s creative institutions remain accessible, inclusive, and financially sustainable for years to come.