Apr. 27, 2023 By Bill Parry
Leaders from cultural institutions and organizations across the borough came together at the Queens Museum on April 25 to officially announce the launch of the Queens Rising June 2023 Initiative. The second annual monthlong arts celebration will bring visitors from across the city to local venues and galleries to promote and highlight dozens of performances, exhibitions and cultural events that showcase the borough’s artistic communities.
“There’s no place like Queens when it comes to arts and culture. I’m so glad Queens Rising has returned for the second year in a row so that we can all welcome visitors to our borough by showing them just how rich and varied our cultural experiences are,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said. “We hope you come and enjoy the many fun activities we have in store for you — bring your friends and family — and have a vibrant summer in the ‘World’s Borough.’”
Photo courtesy of Dominick Totino Photography
The initiative arose last year from an Arts Advisory Board meeting at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts where representatives of various Queens-based organizations were brainstorming ways to reopen the community as COVID-19 restrictions were easing. Queens Rising was born out of that effort and mobilized the borough’s artistic community to collaborate and create an opportunity to highlight and promote all who contribute to the vibrant culture and essence of Queens neighborhoods.
“It is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Queens cultural community that we are poised to launch the second annual Queens Rising initiative,” said Jeff Rosenstock, AVP for Governmental Relations and External Affairs at Queens College. “Our cultural partners have banded together to amplify not only the work of their own organizations but to collectively ensure that folks in our borough and in the greater metro area know the rich cultural landscape of Queens and all it has to offer.”
Queens Rising officially announced lead sponsor Northwell Health and major sponsor Resorts World New York City, both of whom were supporters of the inaugural initiative last June.
“We at Northwell Health are honored to once again reprise our role as the lead sponsor of Queens Rising, which celebrates the culture and diversity of our arts community in the borough,” said Lorraine Chambers Lewis, PA-C, executive director of Long Island Jewish Forest Hills. “As executive director of LIJ Forest Hills, I’m proud to say that we are one of Northwell’s most diverse hospitals. A majority of our staff, and that includes doctors and nurses, live right here in Queens, so this month-long celebration highlights the rich tapestry of who we are.”
Photo courtesy of Dominick Totino Photography
Following its launch last June, Queens Rising has grown to include more than 75 programming partners. Resorts World New York City Vice President of Community Development Michelle Stoddart praised the borough’s arts community.
“Queens has a long and rich cultural history and we can think of no better way to help support the creatives who call this borough home than by once again working with Queens Rising to shine a light on the amazing work these artists are doing,” Stoddart said. “This celebration helps to establish our borough as a major destination for arts and culture and much like the work we do with our Red Wall Art Gallery, it creates an opportunity to expose the wonderful people who make Queens what it is to a larger audience.”
Participating organizations will present works throughout June to shine a spotlight on the variety of traditions and cultural expressions that make the borough one of the most diverse regions in the world. While Queens Rising’s core programming will take place within the borough, the celebration will be extended throughout the city with cultural institutions in other boroughs showcasing Queens-based artists and organizations.
For more information, visit the Queens Rising website here.