Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Mark-Viverito Announce IDNYC will Remain Free in Third Year

January 3, 2017

IDNYC enrollment centers will re-open across city, processing full applications

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito today announced IDNYC will remain free in 2017, and is now processing full enrollments under a new policy that does not involve the retention of cardholders’ personal background documents. This year, IDNYC welcomes 11 new cultural partners offering free memberships. Cardholders will have access to free memberships at 38 of the City’s premiere cultural organizations. Every IDNYC cardholder can redeem a free membership at all 38 cultural benefit partners for 2017, regardless of the year their card was issued. IDNYC is a municipal ID card for all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status. To apply for an IDNYC, call 311 and say “IDNYC” or visit nyc.gov/idnyc.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “The IDNYC program started with the simple idea of bridging divides between the people and government, so that all New Yorkers have access to the resources they need to live full, productive lives here in NYC. We’re keeping IDNYC free in 2017, so that all city residents can feel confident interacting with the NYPD, entering their child’s school, obtaining City services, and so much more. I am excited that so many of our benefits partners are returning for 2017, and that we’ll be welcoming some great new institutions to the IDNYC family. With their partnership, we’re giving more New Yorkers access to culture, arts, fitness and a long list of enriching opportunities.”

“As we enter the third year of the largest, most successful municipal identification card program in the country, I’m thrilled that IDNYC will remain free and available to all New Yorkers,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “IDNYC is a safe, secure form of identification that makes it easy for residents to access City services, visit NYC’s premiere cultural institutions, obtain discounts on prescription medication and much, much more. I encourage all residents to join the nearly 1 million New Yorkers who are already cardholders to enroll in IDNYC and take advantage of all the benefits our program has to offer.”

“IDNYC cardholders can rest assured knowing that they will continue to receive the many benefits that IDNYC has to offer, at no additional cost. IDNYC was established to fight inequality by giving New Yorkers of all backgrounds access to the resources and services that make New York City the best in the world. We’ve never been more committed to upholding that mission and we’re so thrilled to welcome new partners that will help us carry it out in 2017,” said Richard Buery, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives.

“I am thrilled that IDNYC will remain free in our third year so that the card can remain truly accessible to all New Yorkers.  The fact that 1 in 9 New Yorkers now has an IDNYC is a testament to the tremendous need for the program and to the pride that New Yorkers have for their city. If you haven’t gotten your card already, now is the time,” said Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Nisha Agarwal.

“IDNYC has become the most successful municipal ID program in the nation for one simple reason: it ensures that all those who call New York home, regardless of where they came from, have the same access to services and benefits this great city has to offer,” said Department of Social Service Commissioner Steven Banks. 

Joining a diverse group of benefits partners, IDNYC welcomes 11 new 2017 cultural institution partners including the Museum of Arts and Design, China Institute, The Drawing Center, Park Avenue Armory, Symphony Space, Museum at Eldridge Street, Film Forum, Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling, St. George Theatre, Center for Performance Research, Jacques Marchais Center for Tibetan Art.

Returning cultural benefits include free one-year memberships at 38 of the City’s premiere cultural organizations, including the Public Theater, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Queens Museum, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Lincoln Center, Wave Hill, and more.

Every IDNYC cardholder can redeem free membership at all 38 cultural benefit partners for 2017, regardless of the year their card was issued. To be eligible, cardholders cannot have been a member at any particular institution in the last four years (since January 1, 2013). Cardholders would still be eligible for free IDNYC membership benefits at any other participating organization where they have not been a member within the last four years. For more information on benefit terms visit www.nyc.gov/idnyc/benefits.

“Access to art and culture is a right that every New Yorker deserves, and thanks to our incredible partners, IDNYC will continue to open doors at museums, theaters, zoos, and gardens in all five boroughs,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl. “IDNYC brings so many New Yorkers into the fold, providing both a powerful symbol of belonging and a practical tool for improving lives. We are truly grateful to the cultural groups who are stepping up and demonstrating how important culture is to the civic fabric of New York City.”

"Building an equitable and inclusive city for all New Yorkers is now more important than ever," said Mindy Tarlow, Director of the Mayor's Office of Operations. "The IDNYC program continues to increase access to cultural institutions and programs that build healthy communities, while also providing more residents with access to necessary services."

IDNYC also welcomes back YMCA, CitiBike, Food Bazaar, discounts on sporting events such as the Nets, Islanders and New York City Football Club games, and others. Joining these benefit partners for 2017 are CourseHorse and The Baruch Center for the Performing Arts.
  
"I am thrilled that IDNYC benefits will be expanded to include even more free memberships and reduced-price tickets to the world-class institutions that make our city one of the greatest places on earth," said Council Member Daniel Dromm, prime sponsor of the legislation that created the identification card. "IDNYC is available to all New Yorkers regardless of gender identity, immigration status or homelessness. It connects cardholders with a multitude of services and is a great way to show NYC pride. I thank the leaders of these organizations for partnering with the city to bolster IDNYC. It is my hope that even more families will sign up and take advantage of the many opportunities available to cardholders."

“I welcome the 11 new cultural partners joining IDNYC with open arms and strongly encourage others to jump on board now. This free ID for all New Yorkers is already connecting over 900,000 residents with excellent benefits. IDNYC shows we can promote better communities with innovations that promote civic participation,” said Council Member Carlos Menchaca, Chair of the Committee on Immigration.

“Every New Yorker, in every neighborhood, should have access to the arts,” said City Council Majority Leader and Cultural Affairs Committee Chair Jimmy Van Bramer. “That’s why, when the IDNYC program was first getting started, I fought so hard to include the cultural benefits program, to bring more New Yorkers into our city’s cultural gems. The program has been an enormous success, and I’m thrilled that 11 new cultural partners will be joining the fold in 2017.”

“We are proud to be part of the IDNYC program that provides important educational and cultural opportunities to New Yorkers,” said John Calvelli, Executive Vice President for Public Affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the Bronx Zoo. “Conservation succeeds when people care, and we welcome all New Yorkers to be part of our mission to save wildlife and wild places.”

“The Museum of Chinese in America appreciates the distinct privilege of serving as a cultural institution in the great City of New York – the first stop for so many immigrants in our country’s history. MOCA is a proud member of the IDNYC program because it brings art, culture, and the true richness of this country to all; our doors are open, come in,” said President of MOCA Nancy Yao Maasbach.

"The path to discovering your passions can be difficult, but we want to help people discover, pursue, and attain them. That’s why we founded CourseHorse – to help New Yorkers discover the best classes to suit every passion, from art to cooking and public speaking to coding. We’re incredibly excited to partner with IDNYC to help make these classes even more affordable and accessible," said Katie Kapler, co-Founder of CourseHorse.

"The successful IDNYC program has opened doors of opportunity for millions of New Yorkers, and The New York Public Library – an organization dedicated to providing all people with access to knowledge and information – has been a proud partner from the start," said New York Public Library President Tony Marx. "The long list of benefits that come with having a New York City ID continue to grow, and we welcome the public into our branches to sign up."

"We are proud to be part of a major initiative that helps immigrant New Yorkers become settled in their new home and, since the IDs can be used as library cards, to provide people with the resources and information needed to thrive," said Queens Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “IDNYC has been so popular at Central Library in Jamaica, Flushing Community Library and our community libraries used as pop-up sites that we are working with the Human Resources Administration to open a third permanent location at the Long Island City Community Library."

“The IDNYC card is a passport to the cultural and civic life of the world’s greatest city,” said Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson. “Brooklyn Public Library is thrilled to help the residents of our diverse borough access the many benefits of participating in the IDNYC program, including a wide range of library resources and materials.”

All city residents age 14 and above are eligible to get a municipal ID card, and enrollment is free for anyone who applies in 2017. All IDNYC applicants must have documentation that proves identity and residency in New York City. The City will protect the confidentiality of all IDNYC card applications and will not ask applicants about their immigration status. For more information on eligibility criteria, benefits, enrollment centers across the five boroughs and more, applicants can visit nyc.gov/idnyc or call 311.

• American Museum of Natural History
• BRIC
• Bronx County Historical Society
• Bronx Museum of the Arts
• Brooklyn Academy of Music
• Brooklyn Children’s Museum
• Carnegie Hall
• Center for Performance Research
• China Institute
• The Drawing Center
• Film Forum
• Flushing Town Hall
• Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
• Jacques Marchais Center for Tibetan Art
• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Metropolitan Opera
• Museum at Eldridge Street
• Museum of Art and Design
• Museum of Chinese in America
• Museum of Jewish Heritage
• Museum of Modern Art
• Museum of the City of New York
• New York Botanical Garden
• New York City Ballet
• New York City Center
• MoMA PS1
• Park Avenue Armory
• Pregones Theater / Puerto Rican Traveling Theater
• The Public Theater
• Queens Museum
• Queens Theatre
• St. George Theatre
• Studio Museum in Harlem
• Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling
• Symphony Space     
• Wave Hill
• Wildlife Conservation Society
  
  • Bronx Zoo
  • Central Park Zoo (enrollment at the Bronx Zoo)
  • Prospect Park Zoo (enrollment at the Bronx Zoo)
  • New York Aquarium (enrollment at the Bronx Zoo)

• Baruch Performing Arts Center
• Chelsea Film Festival
• CourseHorse
• Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment
• New York City Football Club
• Alliance of Resident Theatres / New York
• New York Theatre Ballet and Ballet School
• NY BigAppleRX
• Entertainment Benefits Group 
• Food Bazaar
• NYC Parks Department        
• YMCA
• Citi Bike
• Animal Care Centers of New York
• Modell’s Sporting Goods
• New York Road Runners
• NYC Health + Hospitals
• New York Public Library
• Queens Public Library
• Brooklyn Public Library