Space & Infrastructure · Indicator 3
Influence of informal & grassroots spaces
What this indicator asks
How important are DIY and independently run spaces for New York’s cultural identity, artist careers and local scenes?
73.0/ 100 · New York
A participant said music scenes start in small grassroots spaces and later move to big venues. Public Service, a free outdoor daytime party series in Brooklyn parks, has no cover charge and no ID check, and is funded by volunteers and donations. Another participant said much of the city’s identity is outdoors, with a lot of music played outdoors in summer.
A total of 91% of survey respondents in New York call free or outdoor events in public space important. An expert said an event in a warehouse, garage or barbershop needs a temporary permit, prepared by an architect or engineer, that can cost many thousands of dollars:
“[Getting temporary permits] is a challenge and it’s effectively a barrier to entry for organisations that don’t have the same kind of access to funding or resources that a corporate-sponsored event might have.”
A participant said DIY and grassroots spaces are where the creativity is, but “most people” only know the biggest clubs, so the large venues shape the identity.