Kensington Cultural Council

Kensington Community Iftar at Avenue C Plaza (2018). photo: Esther Robinson, ArtBuilt

The Kensington Cultural Council is a neighborhood alliance of artists and organizations who are coordinating and promoting a year-long calendar of programming, sharing resources and trainings, and activating Avenue C Plaza as a cultural hub in Kensington, one of the most diverse immigrant communities in New York City. The council brings together cultural groups and supports collaborative programming, marketing, and capacity building in service of the vibrant, multi-lingual community. The council includes Arts & Democracy, Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA), Casa Cultural, The Singing Winds, NOCD-NY and includes a longstanding partnership with ArtBuilt. 

The council and partners animate the NYC Department of Transportation Avenue C Plaza as a neighborhood cultural hub and offer programming including a community Iftar, Summer @ Avenue C Plaza, a Dia de los Muertos celebration, concerts celebrating immigrant culture, and artmaking workshops.

Painting with Pinot’s Palette (2018 & 2019), photo: Emily Ahn Levy and Shahana Hanif

Painting with Pinot’s Palette (2018 & 2019), photo: Emily Ahn Levy and Shahana Hanif

Hojalata (Mexican tin art) with Casa Cultural (2019), photo: Emily Ahn Levy

Ballet Nepantla sin Fronteras at the Celebrating Immigrant Culture Concert (2019), photo: Anna Rathkopf

Yocouba Sissoko at the Celebrating Immigrant Culture Concert (2019), photo: Anna Rathkopf

The Singing Winds at the Celebrating Immigrant Culture Concert (2019), photo: Anna Rathkopf

Dia de los Muertos by Casa Cultural (2019), photo: Caron Atlas

Dia de los Muertos by Casa Cultural (2019), photo: Caron Atlas

Henna workshop with Brooklyn Henna Company (2018), photo: Emily Ahn Levy

Henna workshop with Brooklyn Henna Company (2018), photo: Emily Ahn Levy

Cultural Planting (2018), photo: Esther Robinson, Artbuilt

Members of the Kensington Cultural Council, photo credit: Shahana Hanif

Members of the Kensington Cultural Council, photo: Sue Brisk

The Kensington Cultural Council formalizes long term organic collaborations. The diverse partners in this project have significant experience in sustained community-based cultural work that incorporates in-depth community engagement, equitable partnerships, and ethical practices. Cultural organizers and partners have consistently integrated arts and culture into the already diverse fabric of Kensington and intend to continue their work in collaboration with community members.

Location and Programming Info

Avenue C Plaza is located at the intersection of McDonald Ave and Ave C in Kensington and is accessible via the F/G trains at Church Ave and the B67 bus. Starting in June, Summer @ Avenue C Plaza program listings can be found at the Arbuilt Mobile Studio on the plaza.

Programming on the Avenue C Plaza is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council, New York City Small Business Services, and Brooklyn Org. Special thanks to City Councilmember Shahana Hanif for ongoing support.