OPEN CULTURE IS HERE!
Open Culture legislation (Intro 2068 and Intro 2034) passed City Council on December 10, 2020, and allows for artists to apply for $20 permits to perform outdoors in Open Streets or spaces approved by City Councilmembers. It also directs the City to create an app for audiences to find Open Culture performances.
Thank you to all the members of LIT who made calls, sent emails, and met with members of City Council in support of this legislation!
FAQ
WHAT IS OPEN CULTURE?
Open Culture is a one-stop expedited permit process for outdoor performance!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Eligible artists can submit an application to the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office requesting performance in one of the identified public spaces. Within 5 business days, you will know if you’ve been approved.
WHERE CAN I PERFORM?
The list of available performance sites is here.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER PLACES?
Open Culture only applies to the spaces listed on that site. However, you can always try for the more traditional permitting process that existed prior to the pandemic.
WHEN CAN I APPLY?
The application will become available by March 1, 2021.
You can apply for performances through at least October 31, 2021. We are already calling upon City Council to make the program permanent, like the successful Open Restaurants program.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
The law provides four options for eligibility:
Any cultural venue, defined as an entertainment facility in the city of New York intended or designed to be used for a performance in front of a live audience.
Organizations that are eligible to apply for the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Cultural Development Fund grants, even if you have never received funding. This includes any 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in New York City that has performed two years of cultural public service in New York City.
Organizations or individual artists who have been funded by any of the borough arts councils (listed here) in the last two years.
Any organization or individual artist who is sponsored by a group eligible above — for example, sponsored by a Borough Arts Council or DCLA funded organization.
For more details, and to see what documentation you will need, refer to the guidelines.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
$20!
CAN I CHARGE FOR TICKETS?
Yes, you can charge for tickets or ask for suggested donations.
IS THE CITY PROMOTING THESE PERFORMANCES?
Yes! The legislation also calls for the City to create an app for audiences to find out about Open Culture performances happening in their area.
WILL THERE BE ANY FUNDING?
There isn't any specific funding for Open Culture performances. However, keep your eyes out for the Creatives Rebuild New York grant that the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will be launching for small to mid-size arts organizations and individual artists.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEXT?
The League is committed to advocating for this program to expand. We are calling on City Council to make the program permanent (as Open Restaurants now is), to make more spaces available for performance, and to ensure broad access to the program. We continue to work directly with Councilmember Van Bramer’s office to provide feedback on the implementation and next steps.
We are also reaching out to the New York State Senate to hold a hearing on the larger re-opening process — sign onto our letter here!
If you have further questions, feel free to contact us.