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 a 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 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 Project 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.

    

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—from performance venues and galleries to cultural centers, studios, and community hubs. This public-facing resource is designed to help artists, organizers, and residents 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 infrastructure.

Cultural Mapping Report (Coming Soon)

Our forthcoming Cultural Mapping Report will share key findings from over 150 interviews and five community town halls conducted throughout 2024. 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.

For questions about FTH's Queens Cultural Mapping Project, contact the Project Manager, Natalie Bedon (nbedon@flushingtownhall.org).

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