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Statement from Mayor de Blasio on Departure of Commissioner Finkelpearl

October 31, 2019

Statement from Mayor Bill de Blasio:

“Tom has done a remarkable job in creating a more equitable and accessible cultural sector for all New Yorkers. Under his leadership, the Department of Cultural Affairs has invested more than ever before in underserved communities, made cultural access a core benefit of IDNYC, and worked with the City’s beloved institutions to encourage greater staff diversity. He has touched the lives of millions of everyday New Yorkers with the joys of art, history and nature and I thank him for his dedicated service to the City.”

Statement from Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl:

“It’s been a pleasure and privilege to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs since 2014. With my great colleagues at the agency, fellow commissioners across City government, and terrific support from the Mayor and the First Lady, we’ve been able to make record investments in our city’s cultural community. We’ve insisted that a more diverse cultural workforce will make stronger cultural institutions. We’ve infused hundreds of millions of dollars in the cultural sector, with a focus on getting more of it to historically underserved areas. And we've brought the arts into City government itself, trusting artists to help creatively address civic issues. I thank the Mayor and our partners in the City Council for their faith in this shared vision for our city. It has been deeply gratifying to witness and support the indispensable role that art and culture play in the lives of all New Yorkers.”

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