“Walk the block” with NYTW, Fourth Arts Block, and other historic arts institutions on East 4th Street celebrating a shared civic space shaped by the artists, organizations, and residents who make this corner of the city a vibrant, living cultural community.

A National Campaign to Shift the Valuation of the Arts

Launched in 2025, Creative Labor, Creative Conditions is a national initiative of the Doris Duke Foundation dedicated to building a more sustainable and equitable ecosystem for artists. Grounded in the belief that “when artists thrive, we all thrive,” the campaign advocates for the recognition of artists as essential workers who deserve the same protections, safeguards, and support as those in any other industry. Through high-impact partnerships, knowledge-building, and direct support, the initiative seeks to transform the conditions under which art is made and sustained in the United States. Learn more about the initiative.

The mission of the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF) is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future by investing in artists and the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, child well-being and greater mutual understanding among diverse communities. DDF focuses its support to the performing arts on contemporary dance, jazz and theater artists, and the organizations that nurture, present and produce them. The Doris Duke Foundation is one of only two foundations in history to have received the National Medal of the Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts, presented by President Barack Obama, in special recognition of DDF’s support of creative expression across the United States and bold commitment to artistic risk, helping artists, musicians, dancers and actors share their talents and enrich the cultural life of the nation. Visit www.dorisduke.org to learn more.