Media Coverage

After a decade of planning and research by Harlemites, an unused bus depot on East 126th Street is being prepared to honor its past state: a burial ground for enslaved and free African people.

During the opening of an exhibit at La Marqueta about the burial ground’s history last month, Mark-Viverito proudly described the project as “self-funded.” Joy Bailey-Bryant, a cultural development expert who wrote a feasibility study for the EDC, anticipated the investment in the center will bring lots of visitors.

The city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has said it will begin the search for a nonprofit organization to operate the long-in-the-works Harlem African Burial Ground in East Harlem this fall. A decade of research and planning has gone into the task of converting the city block–home to the unused MTA 126th Street bus depot–into a cultural center and outdoor memorial that will honor its past state as a burial ground for enslaved and free African people. City officials say the project will make use of new apartments rising on a newly-rezoned adjoining site as an ongoing source of funding, as first reported by THE CITY.

MACON, Ga. -- Macon-Bibb leaders say a $100,000 plan will grow the community's arts and culture. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has provided the funding. Leaders say more than 50 art and community groups in Macon have created a committee and will develop a plan that they say will add to existing plans, consider obstacles and opportunities, and steer investments in the city's arts and culture.

"Macon knows Macon, and you are the only people who can tell us what is special and unique about your place," vice president of Lord Cultural Resources Joy Bailey-Bryant says.

Bailey-Bryant says LCR wants to help Macon grow and focus on the community's health and well-being by focusing on the arts.

"We are finding all kinds of information around the arts helping people to live longer lives. And that is really important, so those are the types of things that we are looking at and working to do in Macon and we also want to attract more people here," says Bailey-Bryant.

Recognizing the potential of arts and culture to drive community connection and economic growth, a community-wide Cultural Planning Process has been launched in Macon-Bibb County with the aim of increasing arts access and engagement across the area. A steering committee of more than 50 arts, cultural, and community organizations has been formed to develop an arts and culture strategic plan that will build on the work of existing city master plans, address regional challenges and opportunities, and guide future investments in the arts and culture sector.
The international cultural planning firm Lord Cultural Resources (LCR) has been engaged to facilitate the planning process. Founded in 1981 in response to a need for specialized planning services in the cultural and heritage sector, Lord Cultural Resources is the world’s largest cultural professional practice. Lord has helped create iconic cultural destinations in more than 460 cities, in 57 countries on six continents. LCR led the facilitation of the Chicago Cultural Plan in 2012, which has been downloaded over 200,000 times as well as for cities like Decatur, Georgia and Dallas, Texas. 

EAST HARLEM, NY — An exhibit detailing the history of an African burial site that dates back to the 17th century Dutch settlement "Nieuw Haarlem" is currently on display in an East Harlem public market.

The free exhibit "Reclaiming History, Reinvesting in East Harlem" launched last week at La Marqueta, located underneath the Park Avenue viaduct at East 115th Street, city officials said. The exhibit was curated by the city Economic Development Corporation in partnership with local City Council Member Diana Ayala and the Harlem African Burial Ground Task Force.

More institutions are offering free admission, late-night parties to get the next generation through the door.
Gail Lord, president of museum consultancy Lord Cultural Resources, says making admission free to museums and galleries like the AGO needs to be tried out for more than a year since 'you don't change human behaviour in one year.' (Nigel Hunt/CBC)

Museums around the world face a growing challenge getting people through the doors. In a radical move, the Art Gallery of Ontario is offering free admission to those under 25. But can low prices today lead to prosperity in the future?

Niagara-on-the-Lake culture buffs can explore historical connections between Bermuda and NOTL on a fundraising trip organized by the Niagara Historical Society and Museum this November. The trip will cost $4,100 per person based on double occupancy and $5,200 per person for single occupancy. Applications for the historical society’s excursion are being accepted until May 30. Gail Lord, president and co-founder of Lord Cultural Resources, said it’s more than just a tour. “It’s really about people with similar or related histories getting together. I think that’s what people ultimately like about travel. It’s not just about going to see a place. It’s about creating relationships with people,” she said.

Most Torontonians aren't going to museums. To attract new visitors, the Art Gallery of Ontario is making admission free all year for some and cheaper for others. 

“Toronto attendance at museums is average,” says Toronto-based museum planner and consultant Gail Lord. “I don’t think average is good enough for Canada’s largest and most diverse city with some of the country’s largest museums. Average is a problem.

Le projet de musée d'art contemporain dans le Grand Moncton est loin d'être mort. Une étude de faisabilité menée par la firme internationale Lord Cultural Resources, assortie d'une série de consultations, est en cours.