The Queens Cultural Mapping Initiative
Funded by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)
About the Project
In 2024, Flushing Town Hall was invited by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to lead the Queens Cultural Mapping Initiative aimed at documenting the borough’s dynamic artistic and cultural landscape. The goal of the project was to celebrate the rich contributions of the Queens’ arts community while also addressing the challenges faced by its artists and organizations.
Flushing Town Hall’s Arts Services team officially launched the Queens Cultural Mapping Initiative in May 2024. Over the course of the initiative, the team conducted one-on-one interviews with more than 150 artists and arts & culture organizations across Queens, gathering collective stories and identifying the needs and barriers shaping the borough’s creative ecosystem.
In addition to interviews, the Arts Services team hosted five Arts Community Town Halls in Jamaica, Long Island City, Flushing, Corona, and the Rockaways—connecting with new creatives across Queens and further gathering insights into the kinds of support they are seeking.
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Project Participants
Thank you to all the artists, cultural workers, organizers, and community leaders who generously shared their time, insights, and stories—your contributions were essential in shaping and growing this project. Learn more about our participants and connect with Queens’ creative communities by visiting their websites and social media pages.
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Artist Studios Woodside
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Julia Hsia
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Yona Lavie
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Queens Arts & Culture Map (Coming Soon)
Our interactive Queens Arts & Culture Map will showcase the diverse range of physical spaces that support arts and culture across the borough—including performance venues, galleries, cultural institutions, studios, community gardens, and more. This public-facing resource is designed to help artists, organizers, and the public connect with the organizations and spaces shaping Queens’ vibrant cultural landscape. Whether you're seeking a place to create, perform, collaborate, or engage with the arts, the map will serve as a valuable tool for navigating the borough’s creative offerings.
Cultural Mapping Report (Coming Soon)
Our forthcoming report will share key findings from over 150 interviews, our Arts Community survey, and five community town halls. It will highlight the strengths, needs, and challenges facing Queens’ arts and culture sector—offering insights into the lived realities of artists and organizations working across the borough. The report will also include recommendations based on what we heard directly from the field, helping to inform future support, advocacy, and programming across the city and state.
Get the Latest from Art Services
Sign up for our Arts Services newsletter to get the latest on the Queens Cultural Mapping Initiative, artist opportunities, and upcoming events at Flushing Town Hall. For more information about the mapping project, contact Project Manager, Natalie Bedon.