News and Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2021

Contact: Bliss Green-Morehead, bgreen-morehead@culture.nyc.gov, (704) 900-9786

MEDIA ADVISORY: MATERIALS FOR THE ARTS SETS OUT FOR FIRST-EVER CITYWIDE TOUR

Photos of Materials for the Arts are available here.

New York, NY – As a part of the Summer of NYC, Materials for the Arts (MFTA) will launch the MFTA Citywide Tour, distributing free supplies throughout the five boroughs during the month of July. MFTA, a program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, is NYC's premier reuse facility for supporting arts and cultural programming.

While members have visited MFTA in person for decades, and MFTA's Curbside Pickup program has continued to serve the arts community during the pandemic, the MFTA Citywide Tour is a new initiative to ensure that arts groups, public schools, and other cultural organizations have the tools they need to help New Yorkers reconnect and revive communities across the city.

“This new initiative from Materials for the Arts brings sorely needed resources and supplies to nonprofits, public schools, and city agencies in each of the five boroughs,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “I thank the City’s Department of Cultural Affairs for brightening this recovery summer for lots of artists as part of its vision of inclusivity, equity, and sustainability.”

"Arts and culture contribute to healthy communities, and they are critical pieces of New York City's recovery from the pandemic," said NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Deputy Commissioner Sheelah Feinberg. "Through the MFTA Citywide Tour, we are helping ensure that arts educators and cultural workers have direct, local access to an amazing range of free supplies. MFTA gives them the tools they need to connect New Yorkers with cultural programs throughout the Summer of NYC."

“We are overjoyed to provide materials needed to support dynamic arts programming across the five boroughs, as our city’s arts organizations and institutions reopen, and schools begin summer programming,” said Materials for the Arts Managing Director Tara Sansone. “It is necessary to support the arts in every corner of NYC, and we are especially proud to bring supplies to communities around the city.”

Starting on Thursday, July 8, MFTA's freight truck, filled with markers, paper, ribbons, fabric, furniture, office supplies, and other reusable materials, will visit neighborhoods in each borough, targeting areas that might have a harder time accessing transportation to MFTA’s facility in Long Island City, Queens. At MFTA Citywide Tour stops, staff will provide materials to MFTA member arts organizations and DOE schools and, as always, the supplies will be provided free of charge. In order to demonstrate how to use the unique variety of materials offered, the MFTA Education team will offer hands-on workshops teaching shoppers how to incorporate nontraditional art materials into projects.

Materials for the Arts has scheduled appointments for MFTA member arts organizations and schools to receive materials during the MFTA Citywide Tour. NYC nonprofits, arts organizations, and schools interested in receiving supplies should visit MFTA’s website.

Media interested in visiting the MFTA Citywide Tour stops may review the following schedule for dates, times, and locations. Those interested in attending specific stops must email bgreen-morehead@culture.nyc.gov to receive the exact address.  

MFTA Citywide Tour Schedule

"We’re proud to work with the Department of Cultural Affairs on this important initiative to support arts programming in our school communities,” said NYC DOE Office of Arts and Special Projects Executive Director Maria Palma. “This partnership will benefit thousands of students and educators across the City, providing critical free reuse materials and resources to our schools.”

It is so exciting for DOE schools citywide to have greater access to supplies and programming that support arts education, especially in this time of reinvigoration and recovery. The mission and knowledge that MFTA provides is unique, immersive, and also creatively supports sustainability,” said NYC DOE Director of Sustainability Meredith McDermott. “We are so grateful to our partners at MFTA for providing this Citywide Tour, as it will certainly allow more students and educators to reconnect through memorable, enjoyable teaching and learning this summer and beyond!”

About Materials for the Arts (MFTA)

A program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, with support from the Department of Education and Friends of Materials for the Arts, MFTA is NYC’s largest reuse center supporting nonprofits with arts programming, public schools, and city agencies. On average MFTA collects over 1.5 million pounds of supplies each year which it provides, free of charge, to its member organizations. In addition to providing materials, MFTA has an Artist-in Residence program and holds public events which include gallery openings and community workshops. Learn more at www.nyc.gov/mfta.

About the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City’s vitality. The Department represents and serves nonprofit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City’s five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs. Visit www.nyc.gov/culture for more information.

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