THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT

August 2022 NEWSLETTER

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$2 Million in Additional Grants Announced for NYC Women’s Fund in Media, Music and Theatre

On July 26, MOME and the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) proudly announced that applications are open for the fourth round of grants for the NYC Women's Fund for Media, Music and Theatre. Qualified applicants can apply for a total of $2 million in finishing grants through November 1, 2022.

Since its launch in 2018, the NYC Women’s Fund grant program has awarded $5.5 million to 246 media, theatre, and music projects, with NYFA acting as the grant administrator. The NYC Women’s Fund is a signature initiative launched to address the underrepresentation of women in the entertainment industry.

Mayor Adams said: “Women’s perspectives in the arts, media, and entertainment industries are crucial to telling the rich and diverse stories of our city. This additional $2 million in city funding to the NYC Women’s Fund will provide a tremendous leap toward leveling the playing field and ensuring all creatives, regardless of their gender, are given the platform they deserve. I look forward to seeing the incredible work this fourth round of applications brings to audiences throughout the city and around the world.”

For more information about the fund, please see this article in AMNY. To apply for a grant, please visit the NYFA website.

City Hall Hosts First-Ever Digital Games Industry Council Meeting

Members of the first-ever Digital Games Industry Council meet with Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer (center, in yellow).

On July 13, Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, and leadership from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities (MOPD), hosted the first-ever Digital Games Industry Council Meeting at City Hall, where top industry stakeholders discussed opportunities and challenges facing the industry’s growth in New York City.

The New York City Digital Games Industry Council is the first of its kind. Its creation is one component of Mayor Adams’ "Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent” Blueprint for New York City's Economic Recovery, and solidifies this administration’s commitment to making New York City a leading hub for digital game development.

For more information on the City’s commitment to the Digital Games Industry, please see this press release from MOME that provides details on Digital Games Industry Council members, and a $2M investment into the development of a Digital Games degree at CUNY.

City Announces Major Investments in Film and Television Industry, Including Hiring of Kwame Amoaku as new Deputy Commissioner of the Film Office

Deputy Commissioner, Film Office, Kwame Amoaku

On July 21, the Adams administration announced three key components of its economic recovery blueprint that will drive inclusive growth in the film and television sector, invest in New York's creative economy, and ensure the industry recovers beyond pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.

These components include the introduction of the first-ever Film and Television Production Industry Council, created to advise the City's production policies and programs; the appointment of Kwame Amoaku as Deputy Commissioner for the Film Office at the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), to serve as principal advisor on production policy; and the signing of Executive Order 21, highlighting the Adams administration’s support of the television and film industry.

Mayor Adams had this to say: "A strong foundation of production workers calls New York City home, but sadly many saw their jobs and their livelihoods suffer during COVID-19... this administration is taking action to change that. We vowed to help the film and television industry fully recover, and our new Film and Television Production Industry Council and the appointment of Kwame Amoaku as the new Deputy Film Commissioner make good on our promise. New York City has some amazing stories to tell, and we're going to make it easy as possible for the film and television industry to tell each one of those stories."

For more information, please see this article in Crain’s New York Business that features an interview with Mr. Amoaku.

Sound Thinking NYC Celebrates 2022 Graduates

Participants of the Sound Thinking NYC program

On July 22, MOME congratulated the latest students to complete the Sound Thinking NYC 3-week summer session. Participants got in-depth access to the music industry, learned music producing skills and trained with NYC music industry professionals. Sound Thinking NYC is a free program especially designed to open doors for young women to explore careers in the music industry, and is offered by the CUNY Creative Arts Team.

Please click here to visit the Creative Arts Team website and learn more information on how to apply.

‘Made in NY’ Productions Nominated for 106 Primetime Emmys

On July 12, MOME congratulated the NYC productions that were nominated for 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards. In total, 23 local productions were nominated for 106 total awards, with The Marvelous Ms. Maisel (12), Only Murders in the Building (17) and Succession (25) leading the way. The 74th annual Primetime Emmy Award winners will be announced on Monday, September 12, 8pm ET.

Please visit the Emmy website for a full list of the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards nominees.

NYC Hosts Games for Change Festival

Associate Commissioner, Education and Workforce Development at MOME, Alia Jones-Harvey

On July 13, MOME was proud to kick-off the 2022 Games for Change Festival in NYC which for nearly two decades has been a destination for developers, educators, researchers, students, and other game-changers who want to make an impact through video games or immersive media. On site, MOME presented a ‘Made in NY’ XR experience arcade.

For more information about the festival, please visit the Games for Change website.

Dance/NYC Event Launches Dance Workforce Resilience (DWR) Initiative

Left to right – Participants dance at the event; MOME’s Director of Theatre Programs, Carla Hoke-Miller gives opening remarks

On Wednesday, July 20, Dance/NYC hosted an in-person party at the Mark Morris Dance Center to officially launch the Dance Workforce Resilience (DWR) Initiative. MOME’s Director of Theatre Programs, Carla Hoke-Miller was on hand to officially support the evening and help announce a new Dance Industry Census. The initiative aims to address economic injustice in the metropolitan NYC dance industry. The event brought together politicians, funders, advocates and members of the industry, to commemorate 10 years of Dance/NYC’s service to the field.

To learn more about event and the DWR initiative, please visit the event webpage.

NYC Restaurant Week Returns for 30 Days to Commemorate its 30th Anniversary

On July 18, MOME was on hand to help launch NYC Restaurant Week, alongside initiative developers from NYC and Company. At the kick-off event, Mayor Adams joined NYC and Company’s Fred Dixon, chef David Burke, Sylvia Woods of Sylvia’s restaurant in Harlem, and others, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the signature program that offers dining deals at NYC establishments.

For more information and a list of participating venues, please visit the NYC Restaurant Week website.

Roundabout’s Theatrical Workforce Development Program Celebrates Graduates

Roundabout’s Theatrical Workforce Development Program participants

On July 8, MOME was on hand to help celebrate the recent graduates – Cohorts 2, 3, and 4 – of Roundabout’s Theatrical Workforce Development Program, alongside other program partners and supporters from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and the NY State Department of Labor. The three-year training program develops skills for New Yorkers, aged 18-24 for careers back-stage in the theatre industry.

For more information about the program, please visit the Roundabout Theatre Company’s website.

City Suspends Liquor License Surcharge

Councilmember Keith Powers, Mayor Adams, NYC Hospitality Alliance’s Andrew Rigie

On July 13, Mayor Adams and supporters from MOME, the NYC Office of Nightlife and Save NYC Bars, joined New York City Councilmembers Keith Powers and Justin Brannan, NYC Hospitality Alliance’s Andrew Rigie, Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin Kim and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso at The Turk’s Inn in Brooklyn for an event marking the suspension of the city's liquor license surcharge, meant to put money back into the pockets of small business nightlife and hospitality business owners. The legislation suspends the city's 25% surcharge businesses pay on state liquor licenses for a year and is retroactively effective June 1, 2022.

It is estimated that the legislation will help businesses citywide save $6.5 million over the next year. The legislation fulfills a key commitment made in Mayor Adams' "Renew, Rebuild, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City's Economic Recovery" plan released earlier this year.

Said Ariel Palitz, executive director, Office of Nightlife at MOME: “Suspending the liquor license surcharge is just one of many meaningful steps the City is taking every day to help stabilize the nightlife and hospitality industry. The Office of Nightlife knows that any relief and support for these venues goes a long way, as the recovery of liquor licensed establishments is essential to New York City’s recovery.”

For more information, please see the Mayor’s Office press site for a press release on the suspension.

UPCOMING

On August 5 to 7, MOME will help support House Fest, a 3-day dance and performance event on Governor’s Island, bringing together more than 15 cultural and educational organizations currently in residence. Central to the weekend’s festivities is Dance Party NYC on Saturday, August 6, a city-wide dance party taking place on the same night across 80 locations throughout the five boroughs – including Nolan Park on Governors Island. Festival goers will dance their hearts out alongside their fellow New Yorkers, with sound-tracks provided by Brooklyn United Marching Band, Brass Queens, DJ Aguapanela Mami, and DJ Yung Mayne. Dance Party NYC on Governors Island is presented by Governors Island Arts in collaboration with Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

From August 12 to 14, experience Teatro SEA’s annual festival of Latin American arts and culture, Arte pa’ mi Gente, sponsored by MOME. The outdoor festival will take place at La Plaza at The Clemente (107 Suffolk Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side) and will bring together a line-up of artists across disciplines for three days of free family celebrations. This year’s festival theme is “Archipelago of Culture,” highlighting the importance of island culture and Afro-Caribbean artistic traditions.

On August 12 at 11:30am and 2:30pm the Press Credentials Office at MOME will host a Press Card Application and Renewal Process Webinar. Participants will learn about the transfer of press credentialing from NYPD to MOME, the new rules, how to apply and how to report a lost or stolen press card. To register for the webinar, please visit MOME’s webinar registration pages here for 11:30am and here for 2:30pm.

From August 12 to 21, visit Harlem Week, sponsored by MOME. Harlem Week is an annual celebration of the best of Harlem which works to promote its rich African American, African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and European history, as well as arts, culture, religion, business, entertainment, and sports. Live events include the Percy Sutton 5k Run & Anti-Gun Violence Walk (August 13), A Great Day in Harlem (August 14), NYC Jobs & Career Fair (Aug. 17), Summer In The City (Aug 20 and HARLEM DAY ( Aug 20) among many others. Virtual events include the Youth Conference & Hackathon (August 15), Harlem on My Mind Conversation Series, virtual performances and more.

On Tuesday, August 16 from 5 to 7pm, join MOME’s NYC Film Green program for “Rethinking Power for Film/TV Productions,” the second panel in the ‘Office Hours’ series. This free monthly series is designed to help NYC productions learn practical solutions to green their productions. Please visit MOME’s meeting registration page to join the virtual panel.

On Sunday, August 21, from 3-7pm, The Bushwick Starr presents their Summer Arts Festival in Maria Hernandez Park, located at 92 Irving Ave in Brooklyn. Presented with MOME and Oye Group NYC, the Summer Arts Festival is a FREE event featuring family friendly activities, food, giveaways, and performances, including DJ Bembona and Michelle J Rodriguez. This year's Summer Arts Festival theme is Celebration, curated by Modesto Flako Jimenez’s Oye Group, a Bushwick collective of both native and immigrant artists making new work in theater, dance, poetry, and film on immigration, gentrification, economics, and urban survival.

On Tuesday, August 30 at 7:30pm, attend the GRAMMY Museum’s “A New York Evening With Gavin DeGraw,” sponsored by MOME. The event will take place at The Greene Space at WNYC and WQXR, located at 44 Charlton Street. For more information, visit the GRAMMY museum ticketing page here.

Now through September 12, the city will host the Rise Up NYC Concert Series, presenting 10 free community concerts at locations across the five boroughs. The series will present performances by critically acclaimed artists, including gospel singers Mary Mary, Caribbean hit maker Mr. Vegas, renowned Hot 97 Disc Jocket Funk Flex, and more. For more information about the concert series, including a list of artists that will be updated as each event gets closer, visit the ‘Rise Up NYC’ website.

Follow the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment on social media for the latest on our upcoming events, initiatives, and programs: Twitter: @MadeinNY, Facebook: @MadeinNY, and Instagram: @Madein_NY.

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

nyc.gov/mome

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