Opinion: Cultural nonprofits are the unsung stewards of NYC

In New York City the spotlight often falls on the city’s iconic museums, large theaters, and well-endowed institutions. Yet, there is another set of cultural stewards whose contributions remain under the radar – small, neighborhood-based, culturally-focused nonprofits like Socrates Sculpture Park, the Laundromat Project, Recess Art and many more. Operating with far fewer resources but an abundance of dedication, especially in times of significant social, cultural, and political upheavals, these organizations provide New York City with invaluable cultural, educational, and civic services, ensuring that art, nature, and community engagement are accessible across all five boroughs.

In the case of Socrates, the park’s history mirrors the resilience of countless nonprofits. For nearly 40 years, Socrates has been transformed by artists and community members from a neglected landfill in Long Island City into a thriving urban sanctuary where public art meets environmental activism. With limited funding and no endowment to cushion its journey and working within its constraints as a city-owned property, Socrates strives to meet our city’s most pressing needs – creating a climate-resilient space where art, nature, and community thrive together while serving as a site of investigation and interrogation of ecological concerns through art and creative expression. As climate change reshapes our urban environment, the Park has become a vital model of climate-conscious land management, showing how small but committed organizations can lead the charge in ecological stewardship. This spring, Socrates will undergo a restoration of its eroded shoreline, which was damaged in Superstorm Sandy when floodwaters overwhelmed and engulfed the Park. Art programming, for which the organization is renowned, will be shifted for two years to accommodate the work conducted by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

Cultural nonprofits like Socrates and our peers operate within a challenging landscape. Unlike our larger counterparts, we cannot rely on deep reserves or vast boards to weather economic storms. Instead, we are sustained by community partnerships, creative adaptability, and a commitment to civic responsibility. We are connected to the people we serve by our day-to-day interactions that reinforce long-term relationships with a neighborhood. While larger institutions may have the luxury of focusing on grand exhibitions and high-profile projects, smaller nonprofits like ours provide cultural lifelines and social connection for New Yorkers who may not otherwise access art and green spaces. These organizations bring art to neighborhoods that often lack such resources, offer educational programs that reflect and celebrate the city’s diversity, and foster a sense of connection that was crucial during the pandemic.

Today, as we confront a moment of transition in our country, in the arts, culture, and nonprofit sectors, we must recognize the importance of these small but mighty organizations. The ongoing transformation of New York City – whether through demographic shifts, changes in public funding, or evolving social values – calls for institutions that can adapt and respond to their communities’ needs in real-time.

Socrates exemplifies this agility, using our space to spark climate consciousness and environmental engagement through creative solutions long before these became central urban issues. Through public art installations, our artist development program for emerging creatives, climate-resilient landscaping, and community-centered programming, Socrates connects art and activism in a way that resonates deeply with New Yorkers and inspires other nonprofits to address environmental justice.

Borough presidents, park officials, and civic leaders are recognizing that these smaller, community-focused organizations are integral to the city’s cultural and environmental future. By emphasizing land stewardship, public health, and climate resilience, Socrates and our peers provide a vision of how cultural nonprofits can function as critical partners in shaping sustainable urban spaces. Projects at the intersection of public art and environmental activism illustrate how creative spaces like ours can help redefine what public parks can offer, serving as catalysts for community pride, health, and resilience.

Despite our invaluable contributions, cultural nonprofits in New York City operate with limited resources, facing financial pressures that make every dollar and partnership crucial to their survival. And yet, they persist – transforming public spaces, amplifying underrepresented voices, and fostering a shared sense of belonging that larger institutions sometimes struggle to achieve. This resilience and dedication to community impact are precisely why these organizations deserve broader recognition and investment.

As New Yorkers, we have the opportunity – and, indeed, the responsibility – to support these vital cultural hubs. Increased public and private funding, along with strategic partnerships, can empower organizations like ours to continue their missions and expand our impact. In a time when the role and trust in public institutions are being reevaluated, we must advocate for the nonprofits that have always been here, enriching our lives and strengthening our communities from the ground up.