Diya Vij Named NYC Culture Commissioner: A Visionary Leader for the Arts
Diya Vij, the vice president of curatorial and arts programs at the Brooklyn nonprofit Powerhouse Arts, has been appointed as the new culture commissioner of New York City. The announcement was made by Mayor Mamdani, who described Vij as a “visionary and deeply thoughtful leader.”
Vij’s appointment comes after weeks of speculation within the local art community, with rumors circulating until the news was officially broken by the New York Times on February 28. She will be taking over from Laurie Cumbo just four months after joining Powerhouse Arts.
With a background as an experienced curator with a community-forward approach, Vij has held key positions at organizations such as Creative Time and the High Line. She has also previously worked at the Department of Cultural Affairs from 2014 to 2019. Vij began her career as a curatorial fellow at the Queens Museum in 2010, working under the leadership of Tom Finkelpearl, who later served as the culture commissioner under Mayor Bill de Blasio.
In a podcast interview with Hyperallergic in 2021, Vij expressed her gratitude for her time at the Queens Museum, emphasizing the importance of understanding how art and community intersect. She highlighted her belief that art is everywhere and that artists are integral to various industries and movement spaces.
During her time at the Department of Cultural Affairs, Vij, alongside then-Chief of Staff Shirley Levy, launched the Public Artists in Residence (PAIR) program in 2015. This initiative placed artists within city agencies for year-long residencies, allowing them to propose and implement creative solutions to civic challenges.
At Creative Time, Vij led the organization’s CTHQ, a collaborative hub for artists and activists focused on social, economic, and accessibility justice. She also oversaw projects such as the Research & Development Fellowship for socially engaged artists and the Creative Time Summit. Additionally, Vij curated exhibitions like The World’s UnFair (2023) and organized events like Moving Chains: Toward Abolition (2023).
In his statement to the Times, Mayor Mamdani emphasized Vij’s commitment to ensuring that art is not just ornamental but essential to the city. He expressed his confidence that under Vij’s leadership, New York will remain a city where artists can thrive and where every resident can experience the energy and inspiration that art brings.
As Diya Vij steps into her new role as NYC’s culture commissioner, she brings with her a wealth of experience and a dedication to supporting the arts community. Her appointment signals a new chapter for the Department of Cultural Affairs, one that promises to prioritize the role of art in shaping the cultural landscape of the city.
