Cultural Institutions Group

About

A Unique Partnership

History

The partnership between New York City and the members of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) dates back to 1869, when New York State legislation authorized the City to construct a facility for the new American Museum of Natural History, and provided management of the City-owned property to the private nonprofit organization.

The City agreed to assume certain financial responsibilities for the maintenance and security of the museum’s building and grounds, while a private board would be responsible for the development of the intellectual content of the museum, its collections and programs, and ensuring their availability to the public.

 By 1900, the City had entered into similar partnerships with five additional institutions:

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art

  • The New York Botanical Garden

  • Wildlife Conservation Society

  • Brooklyn Museum

  • Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Today

As the city continued to expand, its definition of necessary public cultural amenities also grew and changed. Today, the 34 CIG institutions encompass a broad spectrum of cultural disciplines including:

  • Art, history, and science museums

  • Botanical gardens

  • Performing arts centers

  • Zoos and aquarium

They are located throughout the diverse neighborhoods of the city and include institutions as varied in size and mission as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Studio Museum in Harlem, El Museo del Barrio, and the New York Hall of Science.

The main City agency partner for the CIG is the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA). The Department of Cultural Affairs' mission of fostering dynamic public partnerships with private cultural organizations has its most dramatic expression in its relationship with the CIG.

DCLA's relationship with members of the CIG is managed by the Institutions Unit, whose staff oversees the disbursement of City funds to the institutions. Staff members also represent the Commissioner at board meetings of the institutions, monitor institutions' operations and programs on a periodic basis, provide technical assistance in various areas of nonprofit management, and serve as a liaison between the institutions and other City agencies.

The CIGs have a shared commitment to providing all New Yorkers, and tourists, access to vibrant cultural, historical, and scientific programming. Each institution expands its reach through partnerships with City agencies and community-based organizations to provide a host of services that complement their core missions.

The organizations collaborate actively with the NYC Department of Education to provide classes, workshops, tours, teacher training, and other activities that supplement school STEAM curricula and build the skills and resumes needed to succeed in a 21st century workforce.

CIGs recognize that there are neighborhoods and communities in NYC that are under-resourced. They are committed to increasing their efforts to foster innovative collaborations and programs to better serve these areas. This public service mission is expressed through free or discounted admissions, public school programs, services for those in need including underrepresented populations, seniors, people with disabilities, and those who are economically disadvantaged and through active collaborations with City agencies to serve New Yorkers in high need circumstances.

In 2013, before ID NYC free memberships, 35% of CIG visitors attended for free and the median ticket price was $10 across all institutions.

 
 

Current Initiatives

➤Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Each of the 34 Cultural Institution Group members are deeply committed to creating distinctive and specific Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategies that address and answer the unique challenges of each organization. The CIGs have pulled together around this important issue to ensure that their audiences, workforce, and leadership reflect the diversity and vibrancy of New York City. Each CIG has committed time, effort, and resources to working on this extremely important and urgent issue with thought, care, and sensitivity. The DCLA has mandated that each CIG present approved DEI plans.

➤IDNYC

IDNYC is a free government-issued photo ID card for people over 10 years old who live in NYC. IDNYC cardholders can receive City services, museum memberships, and more. IDNYC benefits every city resident, including the most vulnerable communities—the homeless, youth, the elderly, undocumented immigrants, the formerly incarcerated and others who may have difficulty obtaining other government-issued ID. Since 2015, the CIG has participated in the IDNYC program by providing free membership, which has yielded over 400,000 free cultural memberships to museums, gardens, theaters, and zoos.

 

Media

For media inquiries please contact CIG Communications Chair Sheryl Victor Levy at svlevy@mcny.org or reached at 917-747-5920.