Governor Kathy Hochul announced $12.5 million to establish the Dominican Center for the Arts and Culture in northern Manhattan, led by the Dominican Studies Institute at City College of New York. The Center will feature a museum, theater, children’s library, and an oral history project, all dedicated to celebrating Dominican arts and culture. This investment honors the significant contributions of the Dominican community in New York City and aims to preserve their cultural heritage.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $12.5 million to establish a Dominican Center for the Arts and Culture in northern Manhattan. Led by the Dominican Studies Institute (DSI) at the City College of New York, this will be the first cultural center of its kind dedicated to preserving and celebrating the arts and culture of the Dominican Republic as well as New Yorkers of Dominican descent.
“New York wouldn’t be who we are today without our Dominican community,” Governor Hochul said. “Through this first of its kind arts and cultural center, New York will celebrate and preserve the history of the Dominican Republic as well as the countless contributions Dominican Americans have made to help shape our Northern Manhattan community into what it is today.”
The Dominican Center for the Arts and Culture will be located in the Washington Heights/Inwood section of Manhattan. The Center will include:
- A museum and exhibition space to display Dominican and Latino/a/x artists – the only high-end institutional exhibition space of its kind in North Manhattan, open for free to the public.
- A theater space or auditorium for performances, music, film screenings, or large lectures, equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.
- A children’s library that will focus on the preservation of the Spanish language, managed by a branch of the New York Public Library in collaboration with CUNY DSI’s Dominican Library.
- An oral history and archives project focusing on preserving the cultural history of the neighborhood.
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “This investment will enable CUNY’s Dominican Studies Institute to create a center that celebrates the rich history and traditions of the Dominican Republic, whose people represent the largest immigrant group in both our city and University. We thank Governor Hochul for memorializing the many important contributions that people of Dominican descent make, and the key role they play in the story of New York.”
Representative Adriano Espaillat said, “Dominican culture and the diaspora have had an undeniable impact on communities throughout the nation, and nowhere is that more evident than here in New York City, and especially in Northern Manhattan. There is a pressing need for a Dominican cultural center to recognize and celebrate the contributions of our community. I am deeply appreciative of Governor Hochul for her commitment of more than $12.5 million in state funding to support the development of the center. With today’s announcement, I will have successfully helped to secure nearly $38 million in public investments to bring this visionary project to fruition.”
Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos said, “I’m thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone toward our goal of establishing the Dominican Center for Arts and Culture in my district. The Center will help preserve and promote our Dominican culture throughout Northern Manhattan, New York City, and beyond. New Yorkers, visitors, and future generations will be able to learn and experience the rich Dominican heritage that has shaped and continues to shape our communities. I thank Governor Hochul for sharing in this vision, supporting the community with the funding that will help see this important project through.”
New York City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa said, “Thank you, Governor Hochul, for your commitment to uplifting the histories of the Dominican people. $12.5M in funding for the Dominican American Cultural Center is vital to the cultural print and legacy of generations of Dominicans who have made a home here and transformed our communities.”
August 6 2024 Albany New York
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P.S.: The decision to allocate $12.5 million for the establishment of the Dominican Center for the Arts and Culture in northern Manhattan, while celebrated by many as a significant investment in cultural preservation, has also sparked controversy. Critics argue that the timing and nature of the funding raise concerns about potential vote bribery, particularly in a politically sensitive district with a large Dominican population. Skeptics question whether this funding is genuinely motivated by a commitment to cultural enrichment or if it’s a strategic move to secure political support in an upcoming election.
The controversy centers on the idea that such a large allocation could be seen as an attempt to curry favor with a key voting bloc. With Northern Manhattan being home to a substantial Dominican community, the decision to establish a cultural center could be interpreted as a way to influence voters by appealing directly to their cultural pride and identity. This raises ethical questions about the intersection of public funding and electoral politics, and whether such initiatives are being used as tools for political gain rather than purely for public good.
Furthermore, some argue that while cultural centers are important, the prioritization of such a project amidst other pressing issues in the community, like housing, education, or healthcare, could be seen as misaligned with the immediate needs of the residents. This adds to the perception that the funding might be more about optics and political leverage than addressing the most urgent concerns of the community.
The debate over this funding highlights the broader issue of how public resources are allocated and the potential for such decisions to be influenced by political motivations, rather than being purely in the public interest. As the project moves forward, it will be important to monitor how these funds are used and whether the community genuinely benefits from the establishment of the Dominican Center for the Arts and Culture, or if the concerns of vote bribery overshadow the initiative.
Sources: Midtown Tribune news, NY.gov
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