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. We have developed recommendations to help address systemic inequities, which we are circulating to the cultural community, policymakers, and activists.
- 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, identified key learnings, and have begun designing an online community network map that we'll be inviting folks across the city to join over the next year.
- We gather regularly for peer learning exchanges, including our annual Cultural Organizing for Community Change workshop, which will be held in Gowanus on Sun, Dec 15. Here, participants discuss a cultural organizing framework, participate in hands on skill building workshops, learn about case studies from across NYC and beyond, and network and share resources.
- 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.