New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani Reveals 28-Member Committee on Arts and Culture
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has unveiled the 28 members of his Committee on Arts and Culture, as part of the 17 advisory committees established in preparation for his upcoming inauguration. The announcement was made during a news conference held at Central Park’s Conservatory Garden on November 24.
The committee comprises a diverse group of individuals with backgrounds spanning various sectors of the arts and culture industry. Notable members include former NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Gonzalo Casals, curator and critic Kimberly Drew, Brooklyn Children’s Museum President Atiba Edwards, poet and Mellon Foundation President Elizabeth Alexander, The Kitchen Executive Director Legacy Russell, and Hiba Abid, who holds the distinction of being the New York Public Library’s first-ever curator of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.
Speaking at the press conference, Mamdani emphasized that the appointees, totaling more than 400 across all committees, share a common dedication to hard work, a passion for New York City, and a commitment to addressing the affordability concerns of its residents. The committees, overseen by transition team co-chairs Lina Khan, Melanie Hertzog, Maria Torres-Springer, and Grace Bonilla, will play a pivotal role in assisting with city government staffing decisions and providing valuable insight for policy development and implementation.
Gonzalo Casals, co-director of the Cultural and Arts Policy Institute and a prominent figure in the arts community, expressed his honor at being part of Mamdani’s transition team. Casals highlighted the crucial role of artists and cultural workers in shaping the city’s social fabric and economic landscape, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the creative workforce.
Among the committee members are industry professionals such as MoMA PS1 Director of Curatorial Affairs Ruba Katrib, Hip Hop Museum Co-Founder and CEO Rocky Bucano, BRIC President Wes Jackson, and Asian American Art Alliance’s Executive Director Lisa Gold, representing a wide spectrum of talent and expertise within the arts sector.
Notably, Palestinian-American curator and bookmaker Jenna Hamed, an independent artist, also joins the committee to advocate for the interests of fellow non-institutional creatives and support Mamdani’s affordability agenda.
The Committee on Arts and Culture’s role extends beyond personnel selection to offering strategic guidance on policy matters and ensuring the inclusivity of the city’s creative workforce. Mamdani’s commitment to prioritizing the arts and culture sector as a driving force for social and economic progress underscores the significance of this committee in shaping the city’s cultural landscape.
Committee on Arts and Culture Members:
- Hiba Abid, New York Public Library
- Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, Mellon Foundation
- Suroosh Alvi, Vice
- Jessica Baker Vodoor, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
- Alexis Bittar, Jewelry Designer
- Rocky Bucano, Hip Hop Museum
- Gonzalo Casals, Culture & Arts Policy Institute
- Carolyn Concepcion, ARTNOIR
- Colm Dillane, KidSuper
- Kimberly Drew, Pace Gallery
- Atiba Edwards, Brooklyn Children’s Museum
- Kamilah Forbes, Apollo Theatre
- Lisa Gold, Asian American Arts Alliance
- Jenna Hamed, Curator and Book maker
- Kemi Ilesanmi, KG1
- Wes Jackson, BRIC
- Ruba Katrib, MoMA PS1
- Coco Killingsworth, Cultural Institutions Group
- Mino Lora, The Peoples Theatre
- Patricia McGregor, NY Theatre Workshop
- Lydia Pilcher, Cine Mosaic
- Victoria Rogers, Leadership Strategist
- Hal Rosenbluth, Kaufman Astoria Studios
- Legacy Russell, The Kitchen
- Kenny Savoca, IATSE 161
- Hannah Traore, Hannah Traore Gallery
- Diya Vij, Powerhouse Arts
- Dennis Walcott, Queens Library
