Diya Vij Named New York City’s Culture Commissioner

Diya Vij has been appointed as the next Culture Commissioner for New York City, taking the helm of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA). The announcement, made on February 28, 2026, positions Vij as a key figure in shaping the city’s cultural landscape.

Who is Diya Vij?

Currently the Vice President of Curatorial and Arts Programs at Powerhouse Arts, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit, Vij brings a wealth of experience to the role. She previously held key positions at Creative Time, the High Line, and the DCLA itself, where she worked from 2014 to 2019. Vij was also a member of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s transition team. Her early career included a curatorial fellowship at the Queens Museum in 2010, under the guidance of Tom Finkelpearl, a former culture commissioner.

A Focus on Affordability and Accessibility

Vij’s appointment comes at a critical time for New York City’s arts community, which has been significantly impacted by the rising cost of living. In a statement, Vij emphasized her commitment to addressing this issue, stating her intention to extend Mayor Mamdani’s affordability agenda to arts and culture. She aims to create a city where artists and cultural workers can thrive, not just survive, fostering “full, vibrant and curious lives.”

Experience with Community-Focused Initiatives

Throughout her career, Vij has demonstrated a commitment to community engagement and innovative cultural programming. At Creative Time, she commissions and stewards large-scale public art projects and initiates public programs. While at the High Line, she organized numerous live events and performances. Notably, Vij launched and co-directed the Public Artists in Residence (PAIR) program during her previous tenure at the DCLA and . She also contributed to the Agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative and played a role in public monument efforts and the development of CreateNYC, the city’s long-term cultural plan.

Vij’s Vision for New York City Culture

Vij’s approach to art and culture is rooted in the belief that art is pervasive and accessible. As she stated in a 2021 podcast interview, “I’m always working around the assumption, idea, and understanding that art is everywhere…The artists are everywhere.” She envisions a cultural landscape that is “open, accessible and sometimes radical.”

Successor to Laurie Cumbo

Vij will succeed Laurie Cumbo as Culture Commissioner, having joined Powerhouse Arts only four months prior to her appointment.