NOCD-NY is a citywide alliance of artists, neighborhood leaders, community organizations, cultural workers, activists, policymakers, and residents that have joined together to revitalize New York City from the neighborhood up. Formed in 2010, our artistic vision and asset-based approach recognizes the powerful culture that already exists in communities, which is a valuable resource in determining their future. NOCD-NY facilitates peer learning, increases the visibility of community-based work, and advocates for it. Our work is grounded in shared values including equity, racial justice, self determination, and collaboration.
Examples of programs that strengthen NYC communities:
- Our Reimagining New York City initiative convened a series of visioning sessions, learning exchanges, artmaking sessions, and citywide forums, engaging the power of arts and culture to further New York City’s ability to heal and transform post pandemic. Our Cultivating Neighborhood Networks project builds on Reimagining New York City, asking the question: How do cultural networks and hubs strengthen cultural ecosystems and further social impacts in communities as they recover and transform? We formed a peer learning cohort, carried out participatory action research (PAR) in five NYC neighborhoods, and identified key learnings.
- We have partnered with Greater than the Sum to develop a dynamic Community Culture Network Map. The map is a living system that will help those working in community culture and its cross sector partners cultivate and deepen their connections, make visible the creativity that animates communities, share resources across places and networks, and organize and advocate together.
- We gather regularly for peer learning exchanges, including our annual Cultural Organizing for Community Change workshop, which will be held in Gowanus in December (date TBD). Here, participants discuss a cultural organizing framework, join in hands on skill building workshops, learn about case studies from across NYC and beyond, and network and share resources. We are also planning additional exchanges over the next year, focused on cultural hubs in under-resourced communities, youth-led organizing, and arts and culture in public housing communities.
- Along with community partners, we also work at the neighborhood level. NOCD-NY facilitates the Kensington Cultural Council, an alliance of artists and organizations who are coordinating and promoting a year-round calendar of programming, sharing resources and trainings, and activating public spaces such as Avenue C Plaza in one of NYC's most diverse immigrant communities. Now, we are engaging Kensington residents around the idea of developing a permanent indoor cultural hub and community center, with will start with a temporary pop-up storefront.