New York Isn’t New York Without Artists is a policy playbook commissioned by CRNY and authored by HR&A Advisors following a year-long process of engaging policymakers, artists, and organizers across New York State. It is intended to be a long-term, step-by-step program for lawmakers at all levels of government to reference as they enact policies that empower artists, a labor force integral to the state’s economy but one that is often on the edge of hardship and economic uncertainty. Artists and creative workers require additional resources and labor protections to continue working and serving communities statewide, and improved policy can help to improve conditions for all workers in the state.

The Playbook includes nineteen timely and actionable recommendations that span a range of policy areas, including housing and financial security, labor protections and job quality, workforce development, economic development, and arts and culture policies. This range is intentionally expansive, inviting policymakers to consider creative workers not only as critical constituents but also as central to New York’s identity and economy. Scroll through the recommendations below, or download the full Policy Playbook for details on how artists, advocates, and municipal and state lawmakers can come together to support New York’s creative workforce.