In a historic move benefiting the arts scene across the boroughs, five New York arts nonprofits have officially joined the city’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG). The announcement was made during a vibrant press conference held on September 30 in Downtown Brooklyn, where live performances added a festive touch to the proceedings.
The newly inducted members are BRIC, the Louis Armstrong House Museum, the Bronx Children’s Museum, the Noble Maritime Collection, and the Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater. This significant inclusion marks the largest expansion of the CIG in nearly 50 years, a decision backed by a substantial $3 million funding boost from Mayor Eric Adams, as confirmed by the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA).
The Cultural Institutions Group, established in 1869 when the city committed to building a new home for the American Museum of Natural History, currently consists of 34 privately-managed institutions that occupy city-owned property. Renowned members include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Queens Museum.
In exchange for vital funding support and energy subsidies from the DCLA, CIG members provide residents with a range of affordable programming options, including free membership. For the upcoming 2026 fiscal year, the DCLA is set to receive $299.6 million, with $183 million specifically allocated to the CIG.
Interestingly, the new entrants into the CIG already offer free or low-cost programming, which means their membership will primarily serve to strengthen and expand their current initiatives.
This expansion comes at a crucial time, as the arts and culture sector in New York City faces economic uncertainties exacerbated by dwindling federal support and rising expenses. Organizations including the Guggenheim and the Brooklyn Museum have recently experienced staff layoffs. As such, guaranteed financial backing from the city has become essential, particularly for smaller nonprofits that depend heavily on grants from programs like the Cultural Development Fund— which has a 2026 budget allocation of $75.7 million for over 1,000 organizations.
“This is a step towards stability,” said Lucy Sexton, the executive director of New Yorkers for Arts and Culture (NY4CA), in a statement to Hyperallergic. She specifically highlighted the Noble Maritime Collection, an institution that has been struggling with financial hardships, staffing shortages, and dwindling programming opportunities in recent times.
The last significant influx of nonprofits into the CIG occurred during the 1960s and 70s, when institutions like the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, and El Museo del Barrio joined to enhance diversity and better meet the needs of underserved communities.
The recent CIG expansion places a strong emphasis on serving communities that have historically been underserved, exemplified by the Bronx Children’s Museum. Once operating from a mobile purple school bus, this organization has now established a permanent location along the Harlem River waterfront. In just over two years, it has successfully reached over 325,000 children through its array of educational programming in arts, history, science, technology, and engineering.
During the press conference, Bronx Children’s Museum led a captivating musical reading of the 2024 children’s book My Block Looks Like, penned by Bronx-native author Janelle Harper and illustrated by graffiti artist Frank Morrison, highlighting the borough’s vibrant heritage and hip-hop legacy.
Denise Rosario Adusei, executive director of the Bronx Children’s Museum, shared a powerful message at the event: “What our Cultural Institutions Group has conveyed to our kids is that ‘Your culture matters, your education matters, your learning matters, and we are here for you.’”
