Diya Vij, currently serving as the vice president of curatorial and arts programs at Powerhouse Arts in Brooklyn, has been appointed as the new culture commissioner for New York City. The appointment puts an end to weeks of speculation within the local art circles, as confirmed by the New York Times on February 28. Vij will take over the role from Laurie Cumbo, just four months after joining Powerhouse Arts.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Vij stated, “This administration has renewed my belief that city government can be a site of real change — and that art and culture are essential to that project.” She emphasized her commitment to addressing the cost-of-living challenges faced by artists in the city and aligning with Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s affordability agenda to support arts and culture.
Vij is recognized for her community-oriented approach to curation and has previously held positions at Creative Time and the High Line. Her experience also includes a stint at the Department of Cultural Affairs from 2014 to 2019. Her career began as a curatorial fellow at the Queens Museum in 2010, where she worked under Tom Finkelpearl, who later selected her for the DCLA.
Alongside Finkelpearl and Shirley Levy, she was instrumental in launching the Public Artists in Residence (PAIR) program in 2015, embedding artists in city agencies for creative civic problem-solving. During her tenure at Creative Time, she initiated the CTHQ space and several programs aimed at promoting social justice through art, including the Creative Time Summit and The World’s UnFair exhibition.
Mayor Mamdani praised Vij as a “visionary and deeply thoughtful leader” who recognizes the fundamental role of art in New York City. He expressed confidence in her ability to maintain the city’s status as a hub where artists can thrive and New Yorkers in all boroughs can experience the vitality of art.
