Made in NYC will kick off Made in NYC Week 2019 this Thursday, October 3rd. The annual celebration, which runs through Friday, October 18th, includes dozens of events, workshops, factory tours, and panel discussions anchored around the work of local manufacturers across the five boroughs. Over the course of the 16-day celebration, New Yorkers and visitors will get a behind-the-scenes look at New York City’s manufacturing sector and the spirit of creativity that animates it.
“Local manufacturers have long been a critical part of the social fabric and economic success of New York City. As part of our mission to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable city for all New Yorkers, we’re proud to strengthen that tradition with Made in NYC Week. The nearly 7,000 manufacturers that call New York City home employ tens of thousands of New Yorkers and make the city a more vibrant place to live.”
- Adam Friedman, founder of Made in NYC and Executive Director of the Pratt Center for Community Development
One of New York City’s greatest assets is its diversity, and the local manufacturing sector represents a bright spot on the path towards building a more inclusive economy. Since April 2018, 70% of new Made in NYC members were minority- and women-owned businesses. Programming at this year’s event will reflect the diverse and dynamic Made in NYC community, and elevate those voices across all programming. The full calendar of events during Made in NYC Week can be found here: www.madeinnyc.org/minycweek-2019.
At the center of Made in NYC Week is the first-ever Made in NYC Pop-Up, a brick and mortar storefront and event space showcasing original products made by some of New York City’s most innovative manufacturers — Lexy Pexy’s eco-chic modern baby teethers and toys, SSY Designs’ luxury shoe accessories, Automic Gold’s fine jewelry handmade from reclaimed materials, Raaka Chocolate’s dark chocolate made from scratch, and Sadowsky Guitars’ internationally renowned electric guitars and basses. Available daily will be NYC roasted coffee from Cantave de Saint Marc and Bronx-brewed beer from The Bronx Brewery, as well as food tastings from NYC bakers and makers of local snacks, granola and even Brooklyn’s own bloody mary mix. Free events exploring and celebrating NYC’s manufacturing community at the Pop-Up, include:
Made in NYC has teamed up with Open House New York (OHNY) to present Factory Friday on October 18th. On Factory Friday more than two dozen local manufacturers across the city will open their doors to the public, giving visitors a chance to hear their stories and see up-close how everything from fabric flowers to steel beams are made.
This year, Made in NYC has partnered with a number of New York City's most beloved local marketplaces to spotlight products manufactured by Made in NYC members, including:
"When I decided to launch Ojala Threads I scoured resources to identify partnerships that would fill the gaps my lack of funding created. Made in NYC is one of the organizations that has been a lifeline to keep my business going. From free marketing workshops to complimentary product photography, they have allowed my company to thrive in ways I could not have anticipated.”
- Ramona Ferreyra, Made in NYC member and owner of Ojala Threads
Made in NYC Week is made possible by the generous support of the New York City Council and the New York City Economic Development Corporation, which works to make New York City a global model for inclusive innovation and economic growth. Additional sponsors include On Canal, Wallplay, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Industry City, the Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center (GMDC), the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), Goldman Sachs, SSY Shaughnessy New York, UPS, M & T Bank, ConEdison, Hanky Panky, and TerraCRG.
Made in NYC supports thousands of New York City’s manufacturers by giving them the tools to grow their companies. We foster local entrepreneurial innovation because we see the value in high-quality, locally-made goods which nurture local economies. We help brands making everything from hot sauce to handbags to bicycles to tell their stories. We unite companies and entrepreneurs as a community to support their endeavors. Made in NYC is an initiative of the Pratt Center for Community Development, an organization within Pratt Institute that works to build a more just, equitable and sustainable city for all New Yorkers. Made in NYC is generously funded by the New York City Council.
The Pratt Center for Community Development has worked for the past 50 years for a more just, equitable and sustainable city for all New Yorkers by empowering communities to plan for and realize their futures. Part of Pratt Institute, Pratt Center leverages professional skills in planning, policy analysis, and advocacy to support community-based organizations in their efforts to improve neighborhood quality of life, attack the causes of poverty and inequality, and advance sustainable development. Visit us at www.prattcenter.net.
Founded in 1887, Pratt Institute is a global leader in higher education dedicated to preparing its 4,600 undergraduate and graduate students for successful careers in art, design, architecture, information and library science, and liberal arts and sciences. Located in a cultural hub with historic campuses in Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as a campus in Utica, New York (PrattMWP College of Art and Design), Pratt has an esteemed faculty of accomplished professionals and scholars who challenge their talented students to transform their passion into meaningful expression.
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