The New York Chromatic Society advances the health, economic vitality, and social well-being of all New Yorkers through research, advocacy, and direct intervention in the color of the built environment.
“We have 130 years of data, three peer-reviewed studies, partnerships with four medical schools, and a theory of change that makes people smile. I’ll take that combination over a grim white paper any day.”
— Priya Subramanian, Executive Director
We study the relationship between color and quality of life, transform neighborhoods through community-driven color interventions, and advocate for color-conscious urban policy.
Original research on color’s impact on health, economic, and social outcomes. Home of the Annual Chromatic Survey and the NYC Color Atlas.
Community-based color interventions in neighborhoods across all five boroughs. Each project begins with community color selection and integrates outcome measurement.
A free K–12 curriculum in 83 public schools, walking tours, professional workshops, and the monthly Chromatic Conversations lecture series.
58 miles of pedestrian pathways. One shade of pink. Three years of rigorous, peer-reviewed research. The largest color intervention study ever attempted.
“The built environment is never neutral. Every surface communicates something.”From the Society’s charter, 1893
The Central Park Pathways Initiative is the most ambitious project in the Society’s 131-year history.
This is a fictional nonprofit.
The New York Chromatic Society is a fictional nonprofit used as a teaching aid in the How to Raise Money fundraising workshop.