Mayor Eric Adams has made several new appointments in his administration and it includes Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Anne del Castillo being appointed to serve as senior policy advisor for creative sector strategy at the Department of Cultural Affairs. Mayor Adams has chosen incoming MOME Commissioner Patricia Swinney Kaufman to lead the agency.
In a release from the Mayor's Office the following statements were offered:
"It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as MOME commissioner during such a critical moment in the history of my hometown, and I look forward to continuing my service as senior policy advisor for creative sector strategy at the Department of Cultural Affairs," said Anne del Castillo, senior advisor for creative sector strategy, DCLA. "I want to thank Mayor Adams for his support, MOME's dedicated staff for their hard work, my esteemed colleagues in government for their collaboration, and New York City's creative community for all it does to make us a global creative capital."
"I am extremely grateful to Mayor Adams for trusting me with this enormous responsibility. It's an honor and a privilege to serve the mayor, New Yorkers, and the creative community," said incoming MOME Commissioner Patricia Swinney Kaufman. "I look forward to continuing the agency's work of supporting, strengthening, and diversifying New York's media and entertainment industries, which are integral to the city’s culture and economy. Collaborating with our industry partners and communities will be a core vision of this agency, and together, we expect great opportunities for New York and New Yorkers."
"I often say New York isn't coming back, it's back — and these highly capable leaders bring the skills and the drive to bring our city's recovery to new heights," said Mayor Adams. "From affordable housing and emergency preparedness to our growing creative economy and planning for a 'New' New York, our administration is working every day to build a city that is safer, more prosperous, and more inclusive. We are excited to be bringing this group onto our team to Get Stuff Done."
"Pat Swinney's appointment is historic," said Chief Advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin. "This is the first time in the history since the creation of Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment that a person from the industry will stand at the helm of this agency. Her vast knowledge, wealth of experience, and drive to get things done is in alignment with this administration. Mayor Adams has gotten it right. Under Pat's leadership, MOME will ascend to greater and better heights."
Pat Kaufman currently serves as first deputy commissioner at MOME, overseeing the office's work developing programmatic strategies and support for theater, music, advertising, publishing, and digital media.
Kaufman served for 19 years as the executive director of the New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture and Television Development and as deputy commissioner of Empire State Development. During her tenure, she helped craft and shepherd the legislation that created the New York State Film Production Tax Credit. She also worked to create the standalone Post-Production Tax Credit and the Commercial Production Incentive programs.
Kaufman was president of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) between 2003 and 2007 and currently sits on the board of the Hamptons International Film Festival and the New York Production Alliance. She has been named to Variety's Women's Impact List and Gotham 50 list of New Yorkers revitalizing the city's showbusiness legacy, and she has received AFCI's Arthur M. Loew Crystal Vision Award and the New York Women in Film and Television Muse Award.
She also served as president of the New York Junior League and on the board of the YWCA of Greater New York and Parents in Action-New York City.
Kaufman received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Sweet Briar College and a master's degree in instructional history from the Teachers College at Columbia University.
She will report to Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Torres-Springer.
"I am super happy to hear about Pat's appointment," said film director Darren Aronofsky. "She has always been a great and loyal supporter of New York and independent film."
"SAG-AFTRA is thrilled that Pat Kaufman has been named commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment," said Rebecca Damon, executive director, New York local, labor policy, and international affairs, Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). "In her long tenure as the executive director of the New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture and Television Development and deputy commissioner of Empire State Development, she has been a steadfast advocate for entertainment production in every region of the state. Her in-depth knowledge of the business of the entertainment industry and savvy understanding of the creative community have resulted in good union jobs in all sectors of entertainment. We look forward to working with her as she brings her knowledge and expertise to New York City."
"I've known Pat for over 25 years, and I couldn’t be more thrilled she's the new commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment," said James Gunn, co-chairman, DC Studios. "The job simply couldn’t be in better hands."
"Everybody in the New York television world knows, respects, and likes Pat Kaufman. That Pat will be running MOME is great news for crews, for producers, and for the city," said former showrunner Warren Leight. "She knows how to facilitate production while simultaneously respecting community concerns — that's no mean feat. When the current WGA strike ends, I look forward to shooting again in New York City. I know that with Pat at the helm of MOME, this vital city industry will be in good hands."
"We're thrilled that Pat will head MOME!” said John Melfi, executive producer, Sex and the City/And Just Like That. "She has made such an impact on so many of us privileged to work in the film and TV industry here at home — in New York City. Congratulations, Pat!"
"Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 are greatly pleased with the appointment of Pat Kaufman," said Thomas J. O'Donnell, president, Theatrical Teamsters Local 817. "She knows the industry intimately, and we look forward to resuming the wonderful rapport we shared when Pat was the state film commissioner."
"We're excited for Pat Kaufman's appointment to lead the MOME at such a critical moment for the industry," said Hal Rosenbluth, president, Kaufman Astoria Studios. "Her years of experience at the New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture and Television Development make Pat the perfect person to shepherd film and production toward its next chapter. She knows our industry is a pillar of New York's economy, employing thousands of people and investing millions of dollars into our neighborhoods. We welcome the chance to work with Pat and the mayor."