Bryan Joseph Lee Named NYC DCLA Deputy Commissioner Under Diya Vij
Bryan Joseph Lee has been appointed as the deputy commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), effective August 17. He will collaborate with DCLA Commissioner Diya Vij to enhance initiatives focused on marginalized communities within the performing arts. Lee is the founder of CNTR ARTS, an agency based in Harlem that has partnered with notable institutions such as Lincoln Center and Ghetto Film School. This announcement follows Mayor Zohran Mamdani's approval of a historic $323 million budget for cultural affairs for fiscal 2027, marking the largest funding allocation for DCLA to date.
Key facts
- Bryan Joseph Lee appointed deputy commissioner of NYC DCLA on August 17
- Lee will work alongside DCLA Commissioner Diya Vij
- Lee has experience centering marginalized communities in performing arts
- Lee founded Harlem-based agency CNTR ARTS
- CNTR ARTS has consulted for Lincoln Center, Ghetto Film School, Brooklyn Arts Council, With Love Project, For The Gworls, and Pique-Nique
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani approved $323 million for cultural affairs for fiscal 2027
- The $323 million budget is the largest-ever for DCLA
- The approval came six weeks before the appointment announcement
Entities
Artists
- Diya Vij
- Bryan Joseph Lee
- Zohran Mamdani
Institutions
- Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)
- CNTR ARTS
- With Love Project
- For The Gworls
- Ghetto Film School
- Lincoln Center
- Pique-Nique
- Brooklyn Arts Council
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Harlem