Turnout NYC
Equitable cultural infrastructure through trust-based partnerships
Challenge
New York City’s cultural institutions concentrate in Midtown Manhattan, overshadowing outer boroughs where vibrant cultural production exists but artists lack access to venues, funding, and infrastructure.
Approach
Turnout NYC created a distributed cultural production model combining hard and soft infrastructure. Working with five Cultural Community Partners (one per borough), we co-designed a modular “Kit-of-Parts” that adapted to diverse events and site conditions while meeting regulatory requirements.
Beyond physical infrastructure, we provided tailored administrative support for permitting, invoicing, insurance navigation, and marketing. This trust-based model gave local organizations curatorial control while removing activation barriers.
Impact
Impact
In summer 2022, Turnout activated five public spaces with 100+ free events, supporting 500+ artists (76% Black/Hispanic/Latin, strong LGBTQ+ representation) and reaching thousands. Two kits became permanent assets in Brownsville and the Bronx.
Evaluation showed the model expanded opportunities for underrepresented artists and strengthened small organizations’ capacity. Partners reported unprecedented programming freedom with critical operational support.
Turnout’s permitting learnings led to Untaped, a Design Trust project streamlining city permitting for public space activation.
My Role
Project Manager (Director of Programs, Design Trust)
Team
DTPS, SITU Studio, Julie Ember, Alice Austen House, Brownsville Community Justice Center, Queensboro Dance Festival, Uptown Grand Central, The Point CDC
NYC 2022