New Cultural Council Chief Aims to Kickstart Local Renaissance
“We often look to science and scientists for answers, but I think artists are the ones that can message the need,” reflects Craig Peterson, on the role that the arts can play in perhaps the single most urgent public policy question facing the world today—climate change. Mr. Peterson (right), who was named president of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) last September after a six-month national search, talks with excitement about the synergies between creativity and cutting-edge research on Governors Island, where his organization operates the Arts Center, mere steps away from what will eventually be the New York Climate Exchange, a planned $700-million facility dedicated to climate research, solution development, education, workforce training, and public programs. “I would like to see how we can develop [it] to be a space that is known for working with artists interested in climate solutions, climate design,” he said.
Mr. Peterson brings to LMCC more than three decades of experience in arts leadership, including as Vice President of Visual and Performing Arts at Henry Street Settlement, Executive Artistic Director of the Abrons Arts Center, Director of Programs at Gibney Dance, and Director of the annual Philly Fringe Festival.
He is already noticing differences between his previous positions and his new role at the LMCC. “I consider it to be one of the last real neighborhoods in New York City,” he said. “Coming over to LMCC is almost a different country.”
The current moment is a pivotal one for both the LMCC and the arts in Manhattan. The LMCC had a major role in helping Downtown recover from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 through art, and Mr. Peterson sees a similar need as the City continues to recover from the recent pandemic. “How do we bring Downtown back to life again?” he said.
In addition to the post-Covid narrative, there are larger issues impacting artists and the arts in Lower Manhattan. “There used to be a lot of neighborhoods with artists,” Mr. Peterson said, “but it’s become scattered around New York.” He added, “there are not a lot of artists that can afford to live in Lower Manhattan,” which has changed and gentrified significantly in the 50 years since the LMCC was founded with support from David Rockefeller, Sr. “There were a lot of artists living Downtown. Now that is less true,” he said.
Another challenge that the LMCC—and the whole City—will have to face is closures forced by resiliency efforts, like those at Wagner Park. “The closing of Wagner Park is impactful, but it doesn’t change the scope of our ability to partner with other people,” Mr. Peterson said. “I think resiliency efforts in general are going to be a disruptive force for the entire City for the next century.”
Even in changing times the mission of the LMCC remains the same: “To create a fertile and nurturing environment for artists and arts groups, enlivening public spaces with free programs in the visual, performing, and new media arts, and to provide leadership in cultural planning and advocacy.” Public spaces are at the heart of the River to River festival, which debuts its 22nd installment today. (See story below.)
In helping to spark a new renaissance Downtown, Mr. Peterson hopes to draw from his experience in Philadelphia with Philly Fringe. He noted the importance of recruiting local businesses into partnerships with the arts, recalling how culture-driven catalysts in Philadelphia helped to transform destitute 1980s-era Broad Street into a vibrant creative center. In particular, he cited the example of local bars that would have drink specials for art exhibits and garages that would open up overnight parking. “The city was small, but the community was tight,” Mr. Peterson said. “New York is a little bit more disparate.”