HISTORY AND MISSION

For 35 years, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) has been the leading arts presenter, advocate, and service provider to artists and arts groups throughout Lower Manhattan. LMCC was founded by David Rockefeller and other business and civic leaders in 1973 and was housed in the World Trader Center until 9/11. The Council, which was created shortly after the Twin Towers were built, was established to humanize the architecture of the World Trade Center Plaza.

LMCC grew as downtown grew and today we are Manhattan’s largest and farthest-reaching arts council, bringing diverse cultural experiences to new audiences in unexpected ways and serving as a gateway to culture, information, and resources across the entire borough.
 
“Art Happens Here” is our motto, and we are deeply committed to the essential relationship between art, culture, and the quality of life. LMCC takes an integrated approach to enriching New York City’s creative capital through:

• Progressive cultural planning
• Innovative artist space programs: Workspace and Swing Space
• A multitude of funding and training opportunities for artists and arts groups
• A rich calendar of free events in visual, performing, and new media arts

LMCC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.