Int. No. 1967-A
By Council Members Cumbo, Van Bramer, Kallos, Brannan, Perkins, Ayala, Rose, Gibson, Louis, Barron, Chin, Vallone and Rivera
A Local Law in relation to requiring the department of cultural affairs to publish information on COVID-19 reopening plans and resources for art and cultural institutions in New York city
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Posting of COVID-19 reopening plans and resources for art and cultural institutions. a. Definitions. For purposes of this local law, the following terms have the following meanings:
Art and cultural institution. The term “art and cultural institution” means any not-for-profit art or cultural group, organization, gallery, venue or institution within the city of New York that receives funding from the department.
Commissioner. The term “commissioner” means the commissioner of cultural affairs.
COVID-19. The term “COVID-19” means the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Department. The term “department” means the department of cultural affairs.
Reopening plans. The term “reopening plans” means plans or protocols related to the opening of art and cultural institutions that were ordered closed due to the state disaster emergency declared by the governor of the state of New York in executive order number 202, dated March 7, 2020, as amended and extended.
Close high-risk interactive exhibit. The term “close high-risk interactive exhibit” means an exhibit within an art and cultural institution that encourages patrons or visitors to touch or wear objects.
b. The department shall post on its website information related to reopening plans and other resources for art and cultural institutions affected by COVID-19. Such information shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Information on federal, state, city and union requirements and guidelines related to preventing the spread of COVID-19, including information on where art and cultural institutions can direct questions relating to such requirements and guidelines;
2. Resources known to the department relating to federal, state and city financial support available to art and cultural institutions affected by COVID-19, including, but not limited to, funding sources and rent-relief programs;
3. Guidance and resources relating to alternative uses for space that art and cultural institutions will not utilize when reopening;
4. Information on strategies for the development and continuation of digital platforms and remote programming;
5. Any sample reopening plans made available to the department by the New York state department of health or any art and cultural institution, provided that the department shall redact any identifying information of such institution, unless such institution has made such reopening plan publicly available or consents to publication by the department without such redaction. The department shall endeavor to include a reopening plan for at least each of the following types of art and cultural institutions: (i) museum, (ii) museum with one or more close high-risk interactive exhibits, including children’s museums or science museums; (iii) arts education organization; (iv) theater or performance venue; (v) dance organization; (vi) garden or outdoor venue; and (vii) historical site. Any such reopening plans shall take into account relevant differences between such types of institutions, including size; and
6. Any other information deemed by the department to be relevant to reopening plans for art and cultural institutions.
§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately, except that the commissioner of cultural affairs may take such measures as are necessary for the implementation of this local law, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.
BM
LS # 14989
7/20/20 5:00pm