About Us

Values

Founded in 1962, BCA was a pioneer of cultural equity in The Bronx. We remain committed to those core values of community, service, and inclusivity, which we define as follows.

• Community: The notion of community is BCA’s guiding light. Within the creative ecosystem of The Bronx, community is both a context and an environment. It is a sense of trust, belonging, safety, and caring for each other; it is the feeling of shared experiences and a sense of shared history; it is an individual and collective sense that we can inspire each other and influence our environment. We believe this treasured feeling is fundamental to hope and human existence, and to all authentic and transformative human interaction.
• Service: As a local arts council, our mission puts service at the apex of our value system. Being “in service” means providing programs that are responsive rather than prescriptive; programs that nourish, build capacity, and advocate for the borough’s creative community rather than dictate, define, or impose solutions. Especially as a funder, we don’t deal in answers  – we support creative exploration of the questions.
• Inclusivity: Mindful of historic and ongoing inequities, we believe in creating environments that are nurturing, open, and welcoming to all. We respectfully acknowledge the paradox that by serving one we may exclude another, and will constantly seek to redress any exclusions. We recognize the need for greater resources to actively include the multitude of languages, abilities, and cultures we seek to serve. And we honor the nested communities of The Bronx, in all their intersectionality, while affirming our shared humanity.

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History

Founded by visionary community leaders in 1962, the Bronx Council on the Arts was a pioneer in advancing cultural equity in The Bronx. From our early beginnings as a presenter of affordable arts programming in select Bronx neighborhoods, we have grown into a cultural hub that serves the entire creative ecosystem of the borough.

Then as now, we focus on supporting the work of underrepresented groups – especially artists of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Through this lens, we offer affordable programs for seniors and youth, and provide direct services to over 1,000 artists and 250 community-based arts groups each year.

Our programs are always evolving, in constant dialogue with the ever-changing needs of the borough and the complexity of its creative ecosystem. Early keystone programs included the Cultural Trolley and the Bronx Writers Center; current long-running programs include the historic Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos and our comprehensive Grants Portfolio. Past Executive Directors include Deirdre Scott and William “Bill” Aguado. On the cusp of its sixth decade, BCA is proud to have helped launch, support, and sustain the careers of hundreds of artists and cultural organizations throughout the borough.

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Who We Are

The Bronx Council on the Arts (BCA) is dedicated to advancing cultural equity in The Bronx. From creative placemaking and arts advocacy to the provision of services for artists and arts organizations, as well as programming for children and seniors, BCA was the first organization in The Bronx to focus equally on supporting local artists, serving the community, and catalyzing relationships between the two.

Since its founding in 1962, BCA has focused on the work of underrepresented groups, especially artists of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We provide direct services to over 1,000 artists and 250 community-based arts groups each year, and thanks to our granting programs, we are able to touch the lives of over 50,000 audience members. 

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Our Board

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Our Team

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Certified Nonprofit Organization

The Bronx Council on the Arts is a U. S. registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and meets all tax-exempt requirements for a charitable organization as stated by the Internal Revenue Service.

View our IRS 501(c)(3) letter

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Press

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