Jean Cooney, a respected figure in public art, has been appointed the new executive director of Creative Time. The New York-based nonprofit is known for its ambitious, site-specific public art installations. Cooney previously served as director of Times Square Arts and vice president of arts and culture at Times Square Alliance.
Her new role at Creative Time begins on February 23. This appointment follows a national search that considered approximately 50 candidates. Cooney expressed that leading Creative Time into its next phase is a dream opportunity for her.
Key Takeaways
- Jean Cooney is the new executive director of Creative Time.
- She previously led Times Square Arts.
- Cooney aims to address current challenges in the arts sector.
- Her vision includes fostering risky, socially relevant art projects.
- Creative Time has an annual operating budget of $3 million.
A Return to Creative Time Roots
Cooney is not new to Creative Time. She worked at the organization for seven years, rising to deputy director, before joining Times Square Arts in 2019. Her prior tenure included involvement in several groundbreaking projects that captivated large audiences.
Jon Neidich, chairman of the Creative Time board, highlighted Cooney's qualifications. He noted her deep knowledge of contemporary art and its connection to social justice issues. Neidich led the search committee that ultimately selected Cooney for the position.
"Jean has dedicated her career to public art and its importance not just in the art world but in society at large," Neidich stated.
The arts sector currently faces significant challenges. Cooney acknowledged that funding for many arts programs has been reduced. Times Square Arts, for example, saw its National Endowment for the Arts funding rescinded last year. Creative Time itself chose not to apply for federal funding for 2025.
Creative Time by the Numbers
- Employees: 12
- Annual Operating Budget: Approximately $3 million
- Government Funding: Almost 10% from city and state; 1% from federal over the last decade
Vision for the Future of Public Art
Cooney believes Creative Time is uniquely positioned to thrive in this environment. She sees the organization's ability to evolve and respond to both artistic ideas and real-life issues as a core strength. Her focus will be on ensuring Creative Time issues an urgent call to action for artists, cultural workers, and advocates.
She emphasized the need to rally around shared needs and take risks together. Cooney wants to keep art and artists at the center of public discourse. This approach aims to foster projects that are not only visually impactful but also socially resonant.
Impactful Projects Under Cooney's Leadership
During her previous time at Creative Time, Cooney played a crucial role in realizing several large-scale installations. These projects demonstrated the organization's capacity for ambitious public art:
- Nick Cave's "Soundsuits" (2013): A choreographed performance at Grand Central Terminal, drawing an average of 200,000 daily viewers over a week.
- Kara Walker's "A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby" (2014): An epic sugar-coated sphinx at the former Domino Sugar Factory, attracting 130,000 ticketed visitors over two months.
- Duke Riley's "Fly By Night" (2016): A light show featuring 2,000 homing pigeons over the East River.
Anne Pasternak, current director of the Brooklyn Museum and Cooney's former boss at Creative Time, praised her abilities. Pasternak described Cooney as an "exceptional producer" capable of making "impossible budgets, impossible deadlines, impossible sites possible."
What is Creative Time?
Creative Time is a New York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting public art projects. Founded in 1973, it commissions and presents works that engage with current social and political issues, often in unconventional urban spaces. Their mission is to bring art to the public sphere, fostering dialogue and critical engagement.
Lessons from Times Square Arts
Cooney described her tenure at Times Square Arts as a "master class in how to get things done in New York City." She expanded the popular Midnight Moment program, which now broadcasts three-minute art installations nightly across almost 100 synchronized electronic billboards. Artists like Joan Jonas and Shahzia Sikander have participated.
Her experience there also included navigating controversy. A 12-foot-tall bronze figure by Thomas J. Price, depicting a Black woman in casual clothing, was installed in Times Square last spring. The artwork sparked a significant public dialogue, including criticism and an outpouring of support.
"Times Square is a place that sees an average of 250,000 people each day, where you can make no assumptions about anyone’s politics or cultural references," Cooney observed. She added that this experience provided "a really invaluable education to think even more expansively about audience."
Cooney is proud of the critical discussions that the piece ignited. This experience has shaped her perspective on reaching diverse audiences through public art.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Directions
Creative Time relies on diverse funding sources. While city and state funding contribute nearly 10% of its income, federal sources have historically provided only about 1%. Cooney plans to focus on more strategic resource acquisition.
"We need to be more strategic around where we find resources," Cooney said. She views partnerships as essential for the organization's future. This strategy could involve collaborating with other cultural institutions, private donors, and corporate sponsors to secure funding and expand reach.
Pasternak expressed hope that Creative Time will return to its roots under Cooney's leadership. She believes the organization can help artists take bigger creative leaps, especially in the current polarized environment. Pasternak emphasized the need for public interactions that encourage dialogue and new possibilities.
The goal is to continue realizing dream projects that advance artists' careers. Creative Time aims to foster public spaces where art can provoke thought, inspire conversations, and awaken people to future possibilities.