NY A00717

Amends the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law to add a new power to the Council on the Arts to promote regions of cultural significance by providing grants, technical assistance, and other authorized assistance to cultural institutions.

Designates East Harlem (also known as "El Barrio") as a cultural district with boundaries defined as: East 96th Street on the South, 5th Avenue on the West, East 125th Street on the North, and the East River on the East.

Allows the Council on the Arts to designate additional regions of cultural significance at its discretion, provided such regions are compact, contiguous, and have an identifiable cultural heritage uniting the region.

Takes effect immediately upon enactment.