MoCADA’s new gallery space. Photo by Gregg Richards, courtesy of Brooklyn Public Library.

The Facility, Built with $84 Million in City Investment, Creates a Vibrant New, 65,000 square-foot Cultural Hub for the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, 651 ARTS, and Brooklyn Public Library

This 65,000 square-foot dedicated creative space and cultural hub—developed by NYCEDC with $84 million in city funding from DCLA—will host a range of cultural programming and activity from four Brooklyn institutions, including new cinemas and archival space for the Brooklyn Academy of Music; a new branch of the Brooklyn Public Library; a gallery and performance space for the Museum of African Diasporan Art (MoCADA); and rehearsal studios and performance space for 651 ARTS—the organization’s first permanent space.

Designed by Andrea Steele Architecture and developed by NYCEDC and Two Trees Management, L10 will serve as a community anchor in the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District, dedicated to fostering collaboration among its partner institutions while serving as a vibrant gathering place where New Yorkers of all ages and abilities can learn, create, and connect. The $84 million in city support for the project, provided through DCLA, includes funding from the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and Brooklyn Borough President’s Office.

The cultural center is housed within a larger 460,000 square foot mixed-use residential tower that opened in the Fall of 2017. Developed by Two Trees Management, the building includes 76 units of affordable housing and ground floor retail, which is currently occupied by an Apple store and a Whole Foods 365 market. Additionally, the building features a public plaza for farmer’s markets, performances and other programming for the local community along with public parking.

Programming at L10 will include performances, film screenings, lectures, and exhibitions that elevate the creativity and diverse voices of Brooklyn and beyond. The Library for Arts & Culture is Brooklyn Public Library’s first branch dedicated entirely to the arts. The library will feature a curated collection of international books, music, plays, and magazines, as well as modern and contemporary art books and catalogs, and associated programs, made possible with the vision and support of Ryan E. Lee (Lee Group Holdings). Programming will feature artist talks, readings, performances, and collaborations with creators from across L10.

MoCADA expands its NYC campus with the addition of MoCADA Culture Lab II at L10. To serve as the institution’s new flagship space, with an adjoining cafe and performance space, Culture Lab II visitors can expect museum’s most dynamic programming to date, including MoCADA Radio, a 24-7, free talk and music listening experience through the diaspora, intergenerational STEAM (science, team, engineering, art, math) activities for all ages and the introduction of a Taste of Brooklyn Food Residency series, which supports celebrated local businesses and emerging chefs who will explore the diverse cuisines of Africa and beyond.

L10 will also host BAM’s Hamm archives – which includes workspaces and the Leon Levy & Shelby White reading room, two 108 seat cinemas, a 25-seat screening room and a state-of-the-art black box theater with seating up to 60 people. Together these spaces create a fully accessible hub for artists, students, and educators to research, experiment, and present community-based art and public programming across film, archive, and performance.

651 ARTS will use its new permanent home to deepen its programmatic offerings, which include producing and presenting live theater, music, and dance, in addition to film screenings, art exhibitions, and artist residencies. 651 ARTS will also launch a studio rental program for artists and arts groups. In addition, the Center’s public plaza will host future outdoor programming, offering opportunities for community participation in an open, welcoming space.

About NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City’s vitality. The Department represents and serves nonprofit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City’s five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs. For more information visit nyc.gov/culture.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.