Planning and Rezoning

On Monday, January 29, 2018, the NOCD-NY network came together for a peer learning exchange focused on the role of arts and culture in planning and rezoning processes. Arts and culture are well suited to bring new voices to the table and as a medium for expressing community-based values. Neighborhood leaders, residents, artists and organizations also want to play an active role as part of community coalitions advocating for equity in rezoning processes.

You can find a video of the full exchange and a list of presenters below.

NOCD-NY's Peer Learning Exchange focuses on the role of arts and culture as part of neighborhood organizing in New York City communities undergoing planning and rezoning processes. The Roundtable took place January 29, 2018 at El Puente. Guests were welcomed by co-founder and Executive Director Frances Lucerna. The discussion was moderated by Hatuey Ramos-Fermín, The Laundromat Project. Panel presentations (in the order of their appearance): Catherine Green, ARTs East New York; Ana Chireno, El Museo del Barrio; Carolyn Ferguson, Theater of the Liberated; Masoom Moitra, Arts & Democracy; Frances Lucerna, El Puente; and Asenhat Gomez, El Puente. Participants were introduced to the new Cultural Blueprint for Healthy Communities resource (www.culturalblueprint.org). Video by Line Break Media.

The event's presenters shared what they learned in their own neighborhood planning processes, followed by a group discussion. The event also introduced the Cultural Blueprint for Healthy Communities, a community engagement tool developed in collaboration with El Puente, Arts & Democracy, Hester Street and NOCD-NY to help communities throughout the city organize their own cultural priorities.

Presenters:

• Catherine Green, Founder and Executive Director, ARTs East New York (East New York)

• Ana Chireno, Director, Government and Community Affairs, El Museo del Barrio (East Harlem)

• Carolyn Ferguson, Theater of the Liberated & Masoom Moitra, Arts & Democracy (Gowanus)

• Frances Lucerna, Co-Founder and Executive Director & Asenhat Gomez, Program Director, El Puente (South Williamsburg and Bushwick)