The new cultural affairs commissioner for New York City is Tom Finkelpearl, the president and executive director of the Queens Museum. Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Mr. Finkelpearl, who will act as the representative for the arts in a city known to many as the cultural capital of the world.  Mr. Finkelpearl will be responsible for a $156 million budget.

In response to his decision for the new appointment, Mr. de Blasio commented, “Tom believes that art is for everybody, and has developed an exception record of fortifying the city’s cultural institutions across all five boroughs…that’s exactly the kind of energy, leadership, and creativity that we want.”