This Friday, the City Designates the Kaufman Arts District in Astoria

An enclave of Astoria known for its concentration of cultural amenities is getting a new name: the Kaufman Arts District. The city will designate the area on Friday which covers, according to the New York Times, “31st Street to the west, 34th Avenue to the north, Steinway Street to the east and 37th Avenue to the south.” The new name, of course, comes from the Kaufman Astoria Studios, a major cultural force in the neighborhood. The area also includes the Museum of the Moving Image, Queens Council on the Arts, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts and the United Artists Kaufman Astoria movie theater. The arts institutions in the area presented the idea of a cultural district to Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, who helped push it forward. Unlike creating a Business Improvement District, which comes with many city approvals and hurdles, the Kaufman Arts District will become a reality with the Council Member’s proclamation.

The area will be similar to the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District, which is supported by millions in city money to foster more local arts-related businesses. For right now, the Kaufman Arts District isn’t getting any money or amenities. The Times reports that the special street signs haven’t even been ordered yet.

In Astoria Arts District, a Once-Gritty Pocket Will Embody Culture [NY Times]