Link: createnyc.cityofnewyork.us
In July 2017, CreateNYC was released to the public as New York City’s first-ever comprehensive cultural plan. Following months of public engagement that engaged with nearly 200,000 New Yorkers, the plan provided a long term framework for promoting greater equity, access, diversity, and expanding opportunities for all residents to participate in the City’s vibrant cultural life.
The Story
As the lead developer for CreateNYC, I was responsible for translating a massive, 200‑page cultural‑policy report into a fully interactive public‑facing website that New Yorkers could actually use. This required rethinking the document’s structure from the ground up — reorganizing dense policy material into a navigable, intuitive digital experience. I led the UX and information architecture effort, designing pathways that made the plan’s goals, data, and initiatives accessible to everyday residents while still serving policymakers, researchers, and cultural leaders.
A major focus of my work was building tools that allowed New Yorkers to directly participate in shaping the city’s multi‑year cultural plan. I developed interactive feedback and engagement tools that let citizens submit ideas, respond to proposals, and share their experiences with the cultural ecosystem. These components were designed to be simple, mobile‑friendly, and welcoming — lowering the barrier to civic participation and giving the city a clearer picture of community needs across all five boroughs.
To support field leaders, organizers, and cultural institutions, I also created a suite of downloadable resources that helped them bring CreateNYC into their own communities. These materials made it easy to host discussions, gather input, and engage the public in ways that felt local and relevant. By combining development, UX strategy, and civic‑tech thinking, I helped transform CreateNYC from a static policy document into a living, participatory platform that empowered New Yorkers to shape the future of culture in their city.