New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Laurie Cumbo announced on Wednesday, Aug. 3, a total of $5.5 million in new capital funding for the Universal Hip Hop Museum to fit out its future 52,000-square-foot home at the Bronx Point development at Mill Pond Park in the South Bronx.

 

As previously reported, the transformation of the South Bronx is ongoing and on May 20, 2021, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new museum, part of the $349 million Bronx Point development, took place. The museum will memorialize the history of hip-hop in the borough and will include several gallery spaces, a black box theater, interactive exhibits, and administrative offices.

 

According to City officials, of the latest announced funding for the project, $2 million was contributed by the Adams administration. Meanwhile, as part of DCLA’s five-borough tour to highlight the City’s cultural investments, Adams also announced new capital funding for other Bronx-based cultural organizations, including the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the New York Botanical Garden, The Point Community Development Corporation, Pregones Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, Wave Hill, and the Bronx Zoo.

 

“Whether you are in Co-op City or Canarsie, New Yorkers deserve the opportunity to learn about some of the unique cultures in their backyard,” said the mayor in the context of the announcement. “Hip Hop tells the story of this city and The Bronx so vividly. It tells life amid poverty and crime, of turning pain into purpose, of making it.

He added, “That’s why I’m proud to announce our administration’s commitment of $2 million in new capital funding for the Universal Hip Hop Museum, alongside $3.5 million from the local elected officials. The newer generation may not know about the history of hip hop in the Bronx. However, when we support our cultural groups, we allow the people of this city to connect and find these local jewels that serve as passports to historic destinations.”

 

Maria Torres-Springer, deputy mayor for economic and workforce development, said the New York City’s cultural organizations make up the fabric of the city, contributing as much to the economy as to the city’s identity. “I’m proud of this administration’s historic commitment to the arts through these capital investments in our creative institutions, which will help create more open, sustainable, and dynamic facilities across The Bronx, including the Universal Hip Hop Museum and many more,” she said.

 

Meanwhile, former Brooklyn city council member, Cumbo, said, “A global creative movement born right here in the Boogie Down, hip hop perfectly captures New York City’s unstoppable beat, and the Universal Hip Hop Museum is going to be a lasting testament to the people who started it all.”

 

She added, “We’re committed to making sure The Bronx’s vibrant cultural institutions have the resources they need to provide dynamic, world-class programming to Bronx residents and visitors from far and wide. Art and culture are driving our city’s ongoing recovery, and I’m thrilled to join Mayor Adams at the Universal Hip Hop Museum to highlight these historic investments for New York City’s cultural sector.”

Anchored in the birthplace of hip hop, the Universal Hip Hop Museum is the only State-chartered, educational museum dedicated to celebrating and preserving local and global contributions to hip hop music and culture, according to City officials. The $5.5 million in new City capital support for the museum was allocated as part of the fiscal year 2023 budget, with $2 million contributed by the Adams administration, $2 million provided by the Office of the Bronx Borough President and $1.5 million allocated by the city council.

 

In the context of the funding announcement, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said, “From Wave Hill, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, Pregones Theater, the Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden, Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center, the Bronx Children’s Museum, the Universal Hip Hop Museum, and so many others, we are grateful to the mayor and Commissioner Cumbo for prioritizing equity and fairness in making sure our cultural facilities receive the necessary support to keep their doors open.”

 

She added, “Our cultural institutions are the lifeblood of our borough, connecting us to the rich history and diversity of The Bronx, and it is important we give them the necessary funding to support their work in providing services to our children and families to enjoy.”

The news was welcomed by the founder and executive director of the the Universal Hip Hop Museum, Rocky Bucano, who said the museum will serve as the official museum of hip hop culture. “Founded by hip hop pioneers, we’re proud to be the recipients of the continuous financial support of Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, the city council, New York State and others to showcase, preserve, present, and protect hip hop culture for generations to come,” he said.

 

He added, “Hip hop was homegrown in The Bronx, and now with that vital support, we’re poised to become a global destination where visitors can learn about hip hop’s storied past and vibrant future.”

As reported, last year, Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer announced that the Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Aug. 11 as “Hip Hop Celebration Day,” August 2021 as “Hip Hop Recognition Month,” and November 2021 as “Hip Hop History Month.” Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) joined Bowman as an original co-sponsor of the resolution in Congress. Click here to read the full text of the resolution.

 

As stated by Bowman’s office at the time, on Aug. 11, 1973, at a “Back-to-School-Jam,” held in the recreation room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Morris Heights section of The Bronx, a new innovative style of disk jockeying and engaging the crowd with rap was introduced by Clive “DJ Kool Herc” Campbell. Since then, hip hop culture has spread across the nation and the world, uniquely infusing itself into the roots of communities everywhere.

 

As reported, arts and cultural institutions were hit hard when they were forced to close during the early stages of the pandemic. Some later pivoted to providing virtual programming and when they eventually did reopen for in-person performances, strict guidelines were imposed in terms of mask requirements and social distancing, restricting their ability to operate at full capacity.

 

According to City officials, the Adams administration has invested a historic $127 million in capital support across the five boroughs, which, along with funding from the city council and borough presidents, brings a total of more than $220 million in capital funding to 70 cultural groups citywide.

 

They said this allocation was made alongside “a record-setting city expense allocation for DCLA of more than $237 million,” and will be distributed through DCLA’s grant programs to more than 1,000 groups across the city. They said this investment in New York City’s cultural community will be distributed “in support of a broad, equitable recovery that ensures all New Yorkers have access to the joy, education, and transformative benefits of cultural activity.”

 

Meanwhile, Norwood News recently reported on the latest fundraising efforts for the launch of the Bronx Children’s Museum, which is also in progress.

Hip hop was born in the Bronx — join us now for a major announcement on the Universal Hip Hop Museum! https://t.co/isFXRjtuNX

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) August 3, 2022

 

As reported, in 2017, the City announced a plan to create the Bronx Point mix-use development that will serve as the new location for the Universal Hip Hop Museum. According to City officials, the development will feature public open spaces, 350 units of permanent affordable housing, a state-of-the-art multiplex theater, education space, and a neighborhood food and beverage hall and incubator. The project is a partnership between NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and NYC Parks. L+M Development Partners and Type A Projects are the developers behind the project.

 

Construction of the Universal Hip Hop Museum core and shell is underway, according to those familiar with the project. Construction to fit out the space will begin in 2023, with completion anticipated in the fall of 2025.

 

Meanwhile, as reported, the Revolution of Hip Hop exhibit at Bronx Terminal Market remains open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. See attached flier, courtesy of the Universal Hip Hop Museum, below for more information.

 

For a list of the latest arts and cultural events taking place across The Bronx, check out our latest Out & About feature.