Diya Vij Appointed NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani names arts curator and program director as head of the nation's largest municipal cultural affairs department.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has appointed Diya Vij as the new Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), the largest municipal funder of culture in the United States. Vij, who previously worked at DCLA under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, is returning to the agency with a focus on supporting artists, expanding access to affordable art-making facilities, and integrating art into civic life across New York City.

Why it matters

Vij's appointment comes at a critical time for New York City's arts and culture sector, which has faced significant challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis. As Commissioner, Vij will be tasked with implementing the mayor's affordability agenda for the arts and ensuring that artists and cultural workers can continue to live and thrive in the city.

The details

During her previous tenure at DCLA, Vij launched and co-directed the Public Artists in Residence (PAIR) program, which embeds artists within City agencies. More recently, she served as a curator at Creative Time, where she organized large-scale public art projects in partnership with various city departments. Vij has also held leadership roles at other prominent New York arts institutions, including the Queens Museum and the High Line.

  • Vij was appointed as the new DCLA Commissioner on February 25, 2026.
  • She previously worked at DCLA under former Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The players

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, who appointed Diya Vij as the new Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.

Diya Vij

The newly appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, who previously worked at the agency and has held leadership roles at various other arts institutions in the city.

Bill de Blasio

The former mayor of New York City, during whose administration Diya Vij previously worked at the Department of Cultural Affairs.

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What they’re saying

“This administration has renewed my belief that city government can be a site of real change — and that art and culture are essential to that project. Too many artists have been forced out of the city they love — crushed by the cost-of-living crisis. As Commissioner, I will extend the Mayor's affordability agenda to arts and culture. It is an honor to help build a city where artists, cultural workers, and New Yorkers across all five boroughs can do more than get by — they can live full, vibrant and curious lives.”

— Diya Vij, Commissioner, Department of Cultural Affairs (newsindiatimes.com)

“Commissioner, Vij will deepen the City's commitment to supporting art and culture and ensure New York City is not only a place where artists can afford to live, but where art is celebrated and sustained.”

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor, New York City (newsindiatimes.com)

What’s next

Vij will begin her tenure as DCLA Commissioner immediately, with a focus on implementing the mayor's affordability agenda for the arts and expanding access to affordable art-making facilities across New York City.

The takeaway

Diya Vij's appointment as the new DCLA Commissioner signals a renewed commitment from the city government to supporting the arts and ensuring that New York remains a vibrant hub for artists and cultural workers, even as the cost of living continues to rise.