Media and Culture

New York City has long been the place to go for people and businesses who thrive on being at the forefront of new ideas and innovations. Our city runs on this spirit of creativity, driving industry innovation and shaping a passionate, forward-thinking culture. Here, art institutions proliferate, and media technology marks a new frontier for companies to start, grow, and succeed.

Media, Evolving

New York City has long been known for its global prominence in publishing, fashion, and advertising. And with an impressive workforce of creative minds, these industries are growing rapidly and redefining the media landscape. NYCEDC is taking long-established strengths and adapting them for the present day—leading NYC into the next generation of media.

TV and Film

When it comes to television and film, the city has become a premier destination for production, with dozens of tv series and films filmed around the city each year. Silvercup Studios, Steiner Studios (the largest tv and film production studio outside of Hollywood), Kaufman Astoria Studios, and Broadway Stages all call NYC home.

And this production ecosystem is expanding: In August 2020, Steiner Studios was announced as the future operator of the upcoming Made in NY Campus in Sunset Park. The campus will be a film and media production facility that will advance diversity and equity in the industry and create thousands of jobs.

The City and State offer an array of incentives and resources for companies looking to film here, both to benefit their businesses and bolster local economies.

Music and Entertainment

NYC is home to more musical performances than any other city in the world and the top performance venues in the US. From intimate halls to massive stadiums, NYC provides entertainment for all tastes.

In the theater world, NYC is a force to be reckoned with. Broadway’s 41 theaters are home to new blockbuster hits like Hamilton, long-running shows like Phantom of the Opera, and innumerable other beloved performances. Alvin Ailey American Dance is considered one of the best modern dance troupes in the world—just one of the many world-class dance groups based out of NYC.

Museums Galore

Home to some of the world’s most iconic museums and most famous works of art, NYC’s visual arts scene is immense—and growing. In the last few years alone, the city opened the new Whitney Museum of American Art as well as the Met Breuer. The much-anticipated Universal Hip Hop Museum, part of the Bronx Point development, is slated to open in 2022.

Supporting the Future of Media

NYC Media Lab, a public-private partnership connecting companies who are advancing new media technologies with academic institutions undertaking relevant research to drive innovation. NYC Media Lab's Combine is a venture platform to advance entrepreneurship in emerging media technology. The Combine offers a lean startup accelerator for university startups, corporate intrapreneurship programs, and executive education.

RLab, the first publicly funded VR/AR facility in the country, RLab supports new ventures with workspace and early-stage capital, makes the industry accessible through workforce development initiatives, and convenes stakeholders to collaborate on NYC’s emerging VR/AR sector.

Made in NY Media Center, a collaborative workspace and community designed to support and connect the next generation of media and tech entrepreneurs, innovators, and artists with industry resources, events, mentorship, and educational opportunities.