New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) just announced a couple of new hires at the top. And one of them, Bryan Joseph Lee, sounds like he's been everywhere. He's the new deputy commissioner, which means he's now officially one of the people deciding how NYC's arts scene gets to, well, scene.
Lee's career reads like a cultural scavenger hunt. For two decades, he's been bouncing between performing arts and museums, working with big names like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mellon Foundation. Before diving into the consultancy world with CNTR ARTS, he was the artistic director of the Public Forum at the Public Theater. There, he somehow managed to produce over 75 programs with more than 250 artists. That's a lot of creative egos to wrangle, and a testament to his patience, if nothing else.
He also found time to produce independent gigs at Lincoln Center, La MaMa, and The Shed. Basically, if there's a stage or a gallery in New York, he's probably been involved in making something happen there. Jonathan McCory, the executive artistic director of the National Black Theater, put it best, praising Lee's deep understanding of how different neighborhoods really need creative opportunities.
We're a new kind of news feed.
Regular news is designed to drain you. We're a non-profit built to restore you. Every story we publish is scored for impact, progress, and hope.
Start Your News DetoxThe Man Behind the Curtain
Meanwhile, Ryan Max, who's been with the DCLA since 2014, is stepping up as the new chief of staff. Max isn't new to the DCLA's inner workings; he was previously the director of external affairs, meaning he was the one making sure everyone knew what the city's biggest arts funder was up to. He even spearheaded the public launch of the IDNYC cultural benefit program, which, if you think about it, is a pretty neat trick for getting more people into museums without breaking the bank.
Former commissioner Tom Finkelpearl called Max a beacon of trust and respect across the city, which is high praise in New York government. Current DCLA Commissioner Diya Vij described Lee as a cultural worker who's been a relentless advocate for artists and fairness, bringing a wealth of experience in grant programs and community engagement. As for Max, Vij sees him as a "pillar" crucial to the DCLA's goal of excellent government.
So, with Lee's whirlwind creative background and Max's steady hand on the tiller, it seems the DCLA is gearing up to make cultural activities more affordable and support the folks who make the magic happen. Which, if you've ever tried to buy a Broadway ticket, sounds like a very good thing indeed.
