Arts Performances Take to the Streets

The New York City "Open Culture" program will offer artists of all kinds to move the stage to the street and other public spaces. It's like an open streets program for the arts.

1 minute read

December 11, 2020, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Cuty, New York

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

The New York City Council approved a bill this week to allow ticket sales for concerts, plays, sketches, and more on city streets and other open spaces, according to an article by Shant Shahrigian.

"Under the legislation from Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Queens), artists and groups that previously received funding from the city Department of Cultural Affairs or one of the five borough-based arts councils will be able to apply online for permits to perform outdoors," writes Shahrigian.

In all, the new legislation will apply to about 2,000 performers and groups.

The name of the city program created by the new law, "Open Culture," harkens to the new public orientation of social life during the pandemic, as exemplified by "open streets" programs in New York City and other cities.

"[Open Culture is] modeled on the city’s popular outdoor-dining and open-streets undertakings and is poised to cast a lifeline to the Big Apple’s arts industry, which has been devastated during the coronavirus outbreak," explains Shahrigian.

Councilmember Bramer is quoted in the article saying, "Cultural groups are back in business," as a result of the new program.

Thursday, December 10, 2020 in New York Daily News

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A coal power plant in Iowa billows smoke into the air.

Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand

For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.

5 hours ago - Inside Climate News

A sign on a fence describing the rain garden behind it.

NYC cools commuters with city's first rain garden above a bus stop

New York City officials say the plants in the rain garden can absorb 16 gallons of rainwater during heavy storms.

6 hours ago - Gothamist

A map showing Brightline West's intended route from  Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Brightline West’s future may rely on $6 billion federal loan

The company has until Nov. 2 to make a $400 million equity investment into its proposed high-speed rail line.

7 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.