PR-2025-01-28-DCLA-and-EDC-Cut-Ribbon-on-L10-Cultural-Center-Brooklyn

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

DCLA | publicaffairs@culture.nyc.gov

NYCEDC | press@edc.nyc

DCLA, NYCEDC JOIN PARTNERS TO CUT RIBBON ON NEW L10 ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER IN DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN

The Facility, Built with $84 Million in City Investment, Creates a Vibrant New, 65,000 square-foot Cultural Hub for the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, 651 ARTS, and Brooklyn Public Library

Photo by Gregg Richards, courtesy of Brooklyn Public Library

Additional photos available for download here.

Brooklyn, NY – Today, First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres Springer, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) Chief Infrastructure Officer Josh Kraus joined local leaders and the four cultural tenants of L10 Arts and Culture Center to celebrate the opening of a first-of-its-kind, multidisciplinary arts hub located at 10 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn. This 65,000 square-foot dedicated creative space and cultural hub – developed by NYCEDC with $84 million in city funding from DCLA -- will host a range of cultural programming and activity from four Brooklyn institutions, including new cinemas and archival space for the Brooklyn Academy of Music; a new branch of the Brooklyn Public Library; a gallery and performance space for the Museum of African Diasporan Art (MoCADA); and rehearsal studios and performance space for 651 ARTS – the organization’s first permanent space.

“From music to movies to art, our city’s cultural organizations bring people together, uplift communities, and power our economy. With this $80 million investment in the L10 Arts and Cultural Center, we will do all three,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “Alongside a record investment in the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and our commitment to expanding the city’s Cultural Institutions Group to support even more cultural organizations, this project is just one of the many ways we are bolstering our cultural sector and making New York City the best place to raise a family.”

“The opening of the L10 Arts and Culture Center represents a monumental investment in the cultural vitality of Downtown Brooklyn and New York City as a whole. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a vital community hub and will elevate and support the incredible talents of New Yorkers,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “By prioritizing spaces like L10, we are ensuring that New York City remains a global hub for culture, creativity, and innovation for generations to come.”

“Make no mistake – the L10 Arts and Cultural Center is a really big deal!” said DCLA Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “This amazing new facility has been worked toward and dreamed of by the people who made it a reality for a very long time. And now, 651 Arts now has its first-ever home. MoCADA has five times as much exhibition space. BAM has three new cinemas and an archive in the KBH space, and Brooklyn Public Library has a unique new branch focused on the arts. Thanks to a historic city investment, New Yorkers now have an incredible new cultural facility and hub that will welcome audiences, drive local economies, and serve as a community hub for generations to come. Thank you to all the partners who made this possible, and congratulations to these organizations on this exciting new chapter.”

“The L10 Arts and Culture Center honors this community’s cultural heritage and will nurture the next generation of world-changing artists in Brooklyn and across the five boroughs,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “The 65,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art space – complete with performance spaces, rehearsal studios, a new public library, and theater space – showcases New York City’s commitment to arts and culture. With thanks to the Department of Cultural Affairs and the cultural partners who call this space home, NYCEDC could not be more excited open this new cultural hub in the heart of Brooklyn.”

MoCADA’s new gallery space. Photo by Gregg Richards, courtesy of Brooklyn Public Library

Designed by Andrea Steele Architecture and developed by NYCEDC and Two Trees Management, L10 will serve as a community anchor in the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District, dedicated to fostering collaboration among its partner institutions while serving as a vibrant gathering place where New Yorkers of all ages and abilities can learn, create, and connect. The $84 million in city support for the project, provided through DCLA, includes funding from the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and Brooklyn Borough President’s Office.

The cultural center is housed within a larger 460,000 square foot mixed-use residential tower that opened in the Fall of 2017. Developed by Two Trees Management, the building includes 76 units of affordable housing and ground floor retail, which is currently occupied by an Apple store and a Whole Foods 365 market. Additionally, the building features a public plaza for farmer’s markets, performances and other programming for the local community along with public parking.

Programming at L10 will include performances, film screenings, lectures, and exhibitions that elevate the creativity and diverse voices of Brooklyn and beyond. The Library for Arts & Culture is Brooklyn Public Library's first branch dedicated entirely to the arts. The library will feature a curated collection of international books, music, plays, and magazines, as well as modern and contemporary art books and catalogs, and associated programs, made possible with the vision and support of Ryan E. Lee (Lee Group Holdings). Programming will feature artist talks, readings, performances, and collaborations with creators from across L10.

BPL’s new Library for Arts and Culture. Photo by Gregg Richards, courtesy of Brooklyn Public Library

MoCADA expands its NYC campus with the addition of MoCADA Culture Lab II at L10. To serve as the institution's new flagship space, with an adjoining cafe and performance space, Culture Lab II visitors can expect museum's most dynamic programming to date, including MoCADA Radio, a 24-7, free talk and music listening experience through the diaspora, intergenerational STEAM (science, team, engineering, art, math) activities for all ages and the introduction of a Taste of Brooklyn Food Residency series, which supports celebrated local businesses and emerging chefs who will explore the diverse cuisines of Africa and beyond.

L10 will also host BAM’s Hamm archives – which includes workspaces and the Leon Levy & Shelby White reading room, two 108 seat cinemas, a 25-seat screening room and a state-of-the-art black box theater with seating up to 60 people. Together these spaces create a fully accessible hub for artists, students, and educators to research, experiment, and present community-based art and public programming across film, archive, and performance.

651 ARTS will use its new permanent home to deepen its programmatic offerings, which include producing and presenting live theater, music, and dance, in addition to film screenings, art exhibitions, and artist residencies. 651 ARTS will also launch a studio rental program for artists and arts groups. In addition, the Center’s public plaza will host future outdoor programming, offering opportunities for community participation in an open, welcoming space.

"Expanding our NYC campus with the opening of MoCADA Culture Lab II in our 25th anniversary year, has truly rooted our work as Brooklyn's first and only museum dedicated to uplifting global Black art and culture and serving as a catalyst for ideas and community connections, right in the neighborhood,” said Amy Andrieux, Executive Director and Chief Curator of MoCADA. “We are honored to be among the organizations set to bring this groundbreaking hub of multidisciplinary arts experiences to life."

“This permanent home at 10 Lafayette is a watershed moment in our history,” said Toya Lillard, Executive Director of 651 ARTS. “For 37 years, 651 ARTS has been an arts presenter of innovative performing arts from across the African Diaspora, and our new 12,500 sq. ft., multipurpose facility will be 651 ARTS’ first ever rooted space, our opportunity to boldly declare: the world is our stage but Brooklyn is our home.”

“Today we celebrate the opening of Brooklyn’s first public library dedicated to arts and culture.” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “From this stunning space in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, we are proud to deepen our commitment to our borough’s vibrant creative community– artists, makers, and dreamers who have long turned to Brooklyn Public Library for knowledge and inspiration. With the support of our extraordinary partners at L10 and the vital contributions of Mayor Adams, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Cumbo, NYCEDC President Kimball, and everyone who made this project a reality, we are thrilled to open our doors and embark on this exciting new chapter.”

“We are thrilled to be opening L10 alongside three incredible organizations, all of which are integral to Brooklyn’s dynamic cultural district,” said Gina Duncan, President of Brooklyn Academy of Music. “Our space, BAM KBH, will allow us to expand our film and education offerings so we can better serve our local community, while our first-ever public archive space will give visitors the chance to connect with more than 160 years of historical events that took place right here in Brooklyn. I’m looking forward to collaborating with our partner organizations and grateful to the city for their support in realizing our vision for this space.”

“L10 represents an incredible investment in the culture and creativity that make this borough so special,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Thank you to the Mayor’s Office, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and New York City Economic Development Corporation for creating a space that celebrates a diversity of artistic and cultural traditions and educates the community about Brooklyn’s creative legacy. I also send my congratulations to BAM, MoCADA, 651 ARTS, and Brooklyn Public Library for the incredible strides they make every year to uplift the spirit of Brooklyn through the arts.”

"The opening of the new L10 arts hub makes clear that arts and culture institutions are a indispensable part of Downtown Brooklyn and of New York City," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "It's never been more important to invest in the arts, and institutions like BAM, MoCADA, 651 ARTS and the Brooklyn Public Library are more than just powerful economic engines; they enrich the lives of millions of New Yorkers and ensure Brooklyn remains a global cultural hub. Thank you to Mayor Adams, the Department of Cultural Affairs and NYCEDC for working to bring L10 to life."

“As Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, I am happy to celebrate the opening of a new arts and cultural center in Downtown Brooklyn,” said State Senator Jose M. Serrano. “This is a great investment in the arts and will give many organizations a much-needed permanent space. Thank you to all that made this possible!”

“New York City’s diverse cultural institutions are unmatched, and one of many reasons we are the Greatest City in the World,” said Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “The opening of the 50,000 square foot L10 adds a new dimension to our arts scene, creating a vibrant new hub in Brooklyn. Four of the borough’s cultural powerhouses—BAM, MoCADA, BPL, and 651 ARTS—have joined forces to supercharge the success of this spectacular new institution. There will be gallery and performance space, cinemas, a library branch, and archival space that will all showcase world-renowned arts. L10 demonstrates a dedication to a City where the arts uplift and amplify the voices of all New Yorkers.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate with the City of New York on the completion of this cultural hub that brings state-of-the-art facilities and spaces to a myriad of Brooklyn’s most integral arts and cultural organizations,” said Sean Szatkowski, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Skanska USA Building. “For this project, we were able to successfully draw on the local diverse business supplier community to help build a cultural institution that will benefit New Yorkers for generations to come.”

"We are proud to have partnered with the City of New York, at 300 Ashland, on a space that brings together influential cultural institutions to foster community engagement, cultural growth, and economic vitality in the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District," said Jed Walentas, principal, Two Trees Management. "This project represents a long-term investment in both the neighborhood and the city at large, offering accessible, world-class programming to residents and visitors alike. At the heart of this collaboration is Two Trees' commitment to creating developments that are not just places to live or work, but active hubs that enrich the public life of the communities we serve. We are excited to see how BAM, MoCADA, the Brooklyn Public Library, and 651 ARTS will activate the space, enriching the cultural fabric of Brooklyn for generations to come."

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About NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City’s vitality. The Department represents and serves nonprofit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City’s five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs. For more information visit www.nyc.gov/culture.

About NYCEDC

New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.