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Dear Friends,

As we work with our colleagues in City government to plan for restart and recovery, please be assured that the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) continues to do whatever we can to keep our media, entertainment and nightlife communities informed about the City's response, available resources and opportunities to assist relief efforts.

Earlier this week, the Mayor reported that just 49% of New York City’s households have completed the census compared to nationwide participation at 59%. The census determines how the federal government allocates hundreds of billions of dollars every year to states and cities for important programs and services we all rely on, including education, transportation, infrastructure, and of course, healthcare. City agencies rely on census data to make critical decisions every day, including planning for vaccinations, affordable housing, sanitation and transportation services, and more. Additionally, the census determines the number of seats New York State gets in Congress, as well as our local and State legislative district lines.

Our city is at the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19, and now, more than ever, we cannot lose out on representation in Washington or Albany. If you haven’t already, please fill out the 2020 Census now! It takes just 10 minutes to fill out the form, but the effects of this Census will last for 10 years.

As you may know, Governor Cuomo has extended New York on Pause until May 28. Seven regions — Capital Region, Western New York, Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley — have met all seven metrics required to begin reopening. The state's regional monitoring dashboard is available here.

New York City is still on Pause. All non-essential event permits are cancelled through June 30, including concerts, rallies and large gatherings. MOME film permit restrictions remain in effect through May 31; we will continue to post updates on film permitting on our website.

NYC Open Streets are available daily, 8am to 8pm (unless otherwise noted) for pedestrians and cyclists to use while maintaining at least six feet of distance from others. No gatherings are allowed. New Yorkers must wear face coverings in public and maintain social distancing. Free face coverings are available in parks, DOE Grab & Go meal sites, grocery stores, and other sites. While bars and restaurants are currently authorized to operate with take-out and delivery service, New York City’s open container law—prohibiting consumption or possession of an open container of alcohol in public places—is still in effect. We encourage everyone to support local businesses, but please don’t hang out when you take out.

I’m proud to announce this week’s launch of Music for the Soul, a program in partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals and AFM Local 802 with support from the Laurie M Tisch Illumination Fund to bring the healing power of music to healthcare workers and patients at NYC public hospitals. Now through July 3, Music for the Soul will be livestreamed on the NYC Health + Hospital’s Facebook page every day from 12-1pm ET. Special guest Tony Bennett kicked off the series, and Rosanne Cash, Questlove, AJR and an array of local musicians will fill out the lineup for this very special program.

Also this week, we are hosting the Made in NY Animation Project Film Festival. Viewers were invited to view and vote on a selection of animated shorts by program participants from across the city. The winners will be announced today at a culminating celebration of all the participants.

Last week was the first meeting of the Arts, Culture and Tourism Sector Advisory Council. ICYMI, Mayor de Blasio reflected on the convening at the following day’s press briefing:

I talked to folks from all different parts of the arts and culture and tourism sectors and they all said the same thing. Not if, but when we're coming back, we're coming back strong. We’re going to find new ways of doing things. We're going to revive the arts and culture community of this city. It's going to be in some ways different, but it's going to be as good or better. We're going to really focus on our own communities and our own audiences here in New York City because so much of this of course was not just for New Yorkers, but people who would come from all over the world to experience our artistic and cultural institutions and that's going to be different for a while. It will come back eventually, but it's going to be different for a while. But you know what also is going to happen is more and more New Yorkers are going to discover what's right under our noses and a lot of things that maybe we haven't focused on enough, or enjoyed, or experienced enough, we're going to come back to. And that was something that these arts and culture leaders felt very deeply, that a whole new wave of New Yorkers are going to experience all that's here in a new and special manner. So, a hopeful, positive meeting, a lot to be done, but real, real devotion to coming back and coming back strong.

For the latest updates, follow us on our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit our website at www.nyc.gov/mome.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns or for support.

Please note that our offices will be observing Memorial Day in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

I wish you a safe and peaceful holiday weekend.

Sincerely,

Anne del Castillo

Commissioner

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

www.nyc.gov/mome

@NYCMOMECommish

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

nyc.gov/mome

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