BILL NUMBER: S3565A

SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the arts and cultural affairs law, in relation to
empowering the council on the arts to designate East Harlem as a
cultural district

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To empower the Council on the Arts to designate East Harlem "El Barrio"
as a region of cultural significance, designate other regions of
cultural significance around the state, and provide support to desig-
nated regions

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends Section 3.05 of the arts and cultural affairs law by
adding a new subdivision 11 that gives the council for the arts the
authority to promote regions of cultural significance through grants,
technical assistance, or other assistance, defines the East Harlem "El
              

Barrio" region of cultural significance, and authorizes the Council to
designate other regions of cultural significance at their discretion.

Section 2 sets that this act will take effect immediately.

 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):

(1)Changes the designating authority from the Trust for Cultural
Resources of the City of New York to the Council on the Arts, (2)
reworks "cultural district" to "region of cultural significance", (3)
provides authority for the Council to designate other regions of
cultural significance at their discretion, (4) authorizes the council to
provide funding, technical assistance, and other assistance to desig-
nated regions of cultural significance

 
JUSTIFICATION:

East Harlem "El Barrio" in New York County is home to a large diverse
population with a rich cultural history. East Harlem is largely a resi-
dential neighborhood with a strong Hispanic and Puerto Rican identity.
It has important institutions for Hispanic arts and culture, including
El Museo del Barrio, and a wide range of religious institutions that
reflect the many faiths of past and present residents. Restaurants,
grocery stores and many other small businesses offer a wide variety of
cuisines, art and cultural items that are concentrated along commercial
corridors, including Second, Third and Lexington avenues, and cross
streets such as East 110th, East 116th and East 125th streets. In East
Harlem, there are many areas that have specific artistic, cultural value
and appeal. The very institutions that celebrate the diversity of arts
and culture of the community. These institutions exist today such as
Julia de Burgos Performance and Arts Center and El Museo del Barrio. El
Barrio geographic area has a high concentration of art, artists and
places of cultural significance. East Harlem provides significant
economic and quality of life value to the local community.  This desig-
nation will encourage the growth and continued cultural development of
East Harlem.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

A9851 2022

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.