NYC Creates Grant Program To Increase Staff Diversity In City's Cultural Institutions

New York City, a metropolis created by waves of immigrants, is the most culturally diverse spot on earth. There are more ethnic groups represented and more languages spoken in New York than anyplace else in the world.

It is also America's central hub for the cultural and performing arts, however as reported in a February 1st, 2016 BroadwayWorld article, the results of a study released by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs showed that the staffs of New York's nonprofit institutions do not reflect that diversity.

Despite a 2010 census breakdown of the city's population as 67% people of color and 33% white, non-Hispanic, New York's nonprofit cultural staffs break down as 38.48% people of color and 61.52% white, non-Hispanic.

In an effort to increase the diversity of New York City's non-performing theatre employees, the city's Theater Subdistrict Council has created a new Diversity Grant Program which will award up to $2 million, with preference given to programs designed to increase participation from people currently underrepresented in the professional theatre community. Three information sessions for potential applicants will be held from March 24-28.

Grants will range from $50,000 to $250,000 and funds may be used for new or existing programs.

Programs must provide paid fellowships, apprenticeships or training positions with a professional producing, presenting or other theater-related organization, and with a clear path to preparing people for future employment in such positions as stage managers, stagehands, costumers, sound and lighting technicians, company managers, general managers, press agents, development, marketing, advertising, designers, playwrights, composers, lyricists, and casting agents. The 18-month grant period will be January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. Programs funded by the grant must operate within this time frame.

For more information, visit nyc.gov