This mural project is funded by a grant of nearly $400,000 from NewYork-Presbyterian’s Northern Manhattan Recovery Fund.
The CUNY Dominican Studies Institute at The City College of New York is launching a one-year program to bring new art mural projects to Washington Heights. CUNY DSI aims to create vibrant, visually appealing spaces in areas greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering community pride and contributing to revitalizing the urban environment.
The mural project is funded by a grant of nearly $400,000 from NewYork-Presbyterian’s Northern Manhattan Recovery Fund, which was established in 2020 in collaboration with U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) to help the community recover from the pandemic.
“This represents the kind of essential work we do as an institution that is deeply devoted to the communities of northern Manhattan,” said Andrew Rich, Richard J. Henley and Susan L. Davis Dean of the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership, which houses the CUNY DSI. “My sincere thanks to NewYork-Presbyterian for their support, and to CUNY DSI Director Ramona Hernandez and my colleagues at CUNY DSI for their leadership of this wonderful project.”
CUNY DSI will invite local artists and residents of Washington Heights to take part in the creative process, with the aim of promoting social engagement and strengthening social bonds weakened by prolonged isolation during the pandemic. Artists from the neighborhoods where the murals will be placed or who have a connection to the community will be encouraged to participate. When the murals are completed, they will aim to provide a platform for diverse cultural narratives, reinforcing community identity and resilience.
“This project is a testament that public art initiatives are not decorative but essential for economic stimulation, social cohesion, and the overall revitalization of our communities,” said Hernandez. “The murals will grace the walls of Washington Heights, a neighborhood that has long been the home of immigrants, in particular the Dominican and the Latino/a/x communities, which have played a central role in the making of New York City since the arrival of Dominican Juan Rodriguez in 1613. The collaboration between CUNY DSI and NewYork-Presbyterian is founded on a deep mutual recognition and commitment to supporting these communities as they move forward.”
Hernandez added that such programs are crucial to address the effects of COVID-19 through beautification and social engagement. “I am grateful to NewYork-Presbyterian for supporting our efforts to link the academic work of the Institute with the needs of the community through this innovative community-based program,” she said.
“NewYork-Presbyterian is delighted to support this mural program with the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute to provide uplifting art for community members to enjoy,” said Anne Sperling, vice president of Government and Community Affairs at NewYork-Presbyterian.
About the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Founded in 1992 and housed at The City College of New York, the Dominican Studies Institute of the City University of New York is the nation's first university-based research institute devoted to the study of people of Dominican descent in the United States and other parts of the world. CUNY DSI is the locus for a community of scholars, including doctoral fellows, in the field of Dominican Studies and sponsors multidisciplinary research projects. The Institute houses the Dominican Archives, the first and only of its kind outside of the Dominican Republic dedicated to preserving the records reflecting the experiences of Dominicans in the U.S., and the Dominican Library, the largest depository of bibliographical resources in the U.S. related to Dominican Studies. These are the first and only institutions in the United States collecting primary and secondary source material about people of Dominican descent. The Institute organizes lectures, conferences, and exhibitions that are open to the public.
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY’s annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the “for dollar” return on investment to students, taxpayers and society. At City College, more than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign, ever. The campaign, titled “Doing Remarkable Things Together” seeks to bring the College’s Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
Jay Mwamba
212-650-7580
jmwamba@ccny.cuny.edu