NYC Mayor Launches Free Art-Led Activity Programme for World Cup
Rich Tu in front of his FIFA poster design. Photo: Kareem Black. Courtesy NYC Mayor’s Office
New Yorkers and visitors have been invited to enjoy a free art-driven activity designed to bring together the communities and cultures of the city’s five boroughs during the Men’s Football World Cup, which is currently taking place across North America.
The poster activity guides, created by Rich Tu—who also designed the official host city poster for New York New Jersey—have been developed as a free creative resource, are available in English and Spanish and will be distributed citywide. Anyone who brings a completed poster, or a photo of it, to the Whitney Museum of American Art before 31 July will receive one free entry.
Tu asks budding designers to convey “a powerful message” responding to the phrase “Where the world comes to play”, and to consider what art, sport and community mean to them. The artist added: “It’s an honour to share my love of soccer and design with the city that I love.”
The programme was announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani earlier this week as part of a partnership between his office, the Whitney and the New York New Jersey Host Committee.
“The World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring New Yorkers together,” Mamdani said in a statement. “We want every New Yorker to be part of this moment—not just in the stadium, but in their neighbourhoods, their schools, and the public spaces that make New York the greatest city on earth.
“This partnership with the Whitney helps ensure that the excitement of the World Cup belongs to all of us, putting art and access at the heart of this historic summer.”
The Whitney has been celebrating the World Cup with live match screenings in its Studio Bar, and is also part of West Side Fest, a weekend-long festival organised by The West Side Cultural Network, a group of museums, parks, performing arts centres and cultural institutions.
Scott Rothkopf, the Alice Pratt Brown director of the Whitney Museum, said: “As a museum deeply rooted in New York City, we are committed to welcoming everyone, from our neighbours to visitors arriving from around the world.
“We hope this activity guide inspires people to visit the Whitney, especially on 12 July, when admission is free to all as part of West Side Fest, a weekend-long celebration of culture and community across Manhattan’s west side.”
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