Creative Ecology · Indicator 4
Diversity of scenes & experimental programming
What this indicator asks
How diverse and varied are New York’s scenes, including experimental and interdisciplinary work, and new formats and models?
63.3/ 100 · New York
A total of 73% of survey respondents in New York agree that new and experimental events happen often; 11% disagree. A participant said much of the city’s experimental work happens outside its clubs:
“Outside of our club spaces so much crazy s*** is happening… one of the beautiful things about New York City is that some of our favourite DJs are also crazy on another tip as well.”
Another participant said the DIY spaces are “hyper-concentrated” in Bushwick and Williamsburg, and proposed spreading them to other neighbourhoods.
Empire Stage is a musician-run warehouse venue in Crown Heights. It runs jazz nights on Tuesdays alongside independent DJ events.
An expert who booked a large club for four years built each night with a local opener, a visiting headliner and a local closer. The expert put local DJs into the early-morning window of a 24-hour party, when crowds arrive from other clubs, so the DJ does not have to bring an audience.