Rethinking Culture and Community in New York City

Caron Atlas has spent decades working to understand and improve the relationship between cities and the arts. As co-director of Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts New York, she advocates for the recognition of artistic activity throughout NYC.

1 minute read

August 3, 2015, 9:00 AM PDT

By satellitemag

Atlas argues in this Q+A with Satellite that the arts can be a powerful tool for social change, and that neighborhood-based cultural activity should receive more recognition and support from the municipal government.

"We can see in lots of communities that cultural spaces are often meeting spaces for more than just art. They’re part of social networks that people can draw on during hard times; they’re places where people who are different can come together in creative ways. People talk about how cultural activity saved their lives or gave their lives meaning. It’s one thing to survive—and New York can be a hard city to survive in—but arts and culture can get you beyond survival."

FULL STORY: Rethinking culture and community in New York City

Sunday, August 2, 2015 in Satellite Magazine

Community / Economic Development Social / Demographics New York Caron Atlas Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts New York New York City Culture The Arts cultural policy Satellite View More

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 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 Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.