NYC’s Materials For The Arts Fully Electric Truck, Van New Names Chosen By Third Graders Unveiled
NYC Department Of Cultural Affairs
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MEET “REUSEY LUCY” AND “BUTTERCUP”: MATERIALS FOR THE ARTS UNVEILS NEW NAMES FOR FULLY ELECTRIC TRUCK AND VAN CHOSEN BY THIRD GRADERS FROM PS 17 IN QUEENS
Queens, NY – Materials for the Arts (MFTA), a program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, has officially announced the new names of the program’s fully electric truck and van: “Reusey Lucy” and “Buttercup.”
The new names for the vehicles were submitted by third-grade students from P.S. 17 in Queens during their field trip to MFTA earlier this year, where students learned about sustainability, upcycling, and creative reuse artmaking. Acquired in partnership with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the electric truck and van are essential to MFTA’s operations, collecting donated materials from across the city and making them available free of charge to arts nonprofits, public schools, and city agencies throughout the five boroughs. Emblazoned with MFTA’s logo, the bright yellow and white vehicles can be spotted making stops at donors and MFTA material recipients across the city – collecting and delivering items that fuel affordable, accessible arts programming in all five boroughs, while diverting material from the waste stream.
“Materials for the Arts makes amazing things happen in art spaces, classrooms, and other community anchors across our entire city – inspiring artists, supporting educators, and putting affordable, accessible arts programs within reach for countless New Yorkers,” said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Diya Vij. “We are proud to welcome Buttercup and Reusey Lucy to the MFTA team, named by students whose field trip to MFTA embodies the incredible impact that MFTA’s education programs have in all five boroughs.”
“Welcome Reusey Lucy and Buttercup to the city’s growing green fleet!” said Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Yume Kitasei. “Materials for the Arts is a meaningful program, and we are proud to partner in supporting its mission and the city’s overall effort to employ cleaner and more efficient vehicles across government.”
“We’re proud to celebrate MFTA’s fully electric vehicles as an extension of our mission to sustainably support arts and culture in New York City,” said MFTA Executive Director Tara Sansone. “MFTA diverts millions of pounds of items from landfill each year, and engaging students around the naming of our electric vehicles helps inspire the next generation to think more deeply and creatively about reuse, sustainability, and the environment.”
Earlier this year, a third-grade class from P.S. 17Q visited MFTA for a field trip, where students learned about MFTA’s electric truck and van and were invited to help name the vehicles. During the visit, students also learned about MFTA’s mission of giving discarded materials a second life and redistributing them to support New York City’s arts and education communities. To participate in the naming activity, students created their very own van and truck collage art and placed their name suggestions into a miniature papier-mâché MFTA truck. MFTA staff then reviewed the submissions and selected the winning names for the electric vehicles.
Yesterday, students gathered in front of the school to view the vehicles in person and see their names revealed by the MFTA education team and staff. MFTA also delivered fabric and supplies to support the school’s arts department with sets and costuming.
Students submitting their electric vehicle name ideas into a papier-mâché MFTA truck. Photo courtesy of MFTA.
Acquired through DCAS, MFTA’s electric vehicles underscore its mission and the city’s commitment to reducing New York’s greenhouse gas output. As part of efforts to transition the city’s fleet to cleaner technologies, DCAS is continuing to lead in fleet electrification and greener operations. This year, DCAS announced its latest Clean Fleet Transition Plan report, outlining continued progress toward electrifying the city’s municipal fleet and expanding the use of zero-emission vehicles.
Operating from a 35,000-square-foot warehouse in Long Island City, Queens, MFTA collects millions of pounds of donated supplies each year from businesses and individuals across New York City and redistributes them free of charge to thousands of member organizations. MFTA receives and distributes donations collected by its truck and van fleet and makes them available for member organizations to ‘shop’ in the MFTA warehouse for a range of supplies, including furniture, fabric, paper, mannequins, electronics, theater equipment, paint, buttons, and beads, to support arts, education, and community programming.
Last year alone, MFTA collected more than 4.1 million pounds of materials, valued at nearly $17 million, and distributed them to 2,500 member organizations, schools, and public agencies citywide. On average, each member received roughly $6,800 worth of supplies at no cost, helping stretch budgets while keeping valuable materials out of landfills.
During the end of the school year, MFTA encourages schools with leftover supplies to donate to MFTA. Teachers can also participate in MFTA’s summer professional development courses to earn P-Credits and learn how to infuse art and creative projects across subject areas.
MFTA shopping is by appointment only. Organizations interested in receiving supplies from MFTA can visit MFTA’s website to submit a membership application. NYC public school teachers can contact their principal to ensure their school’s MFTA account is up-to-date and to be added to their school’s account. Visit www.nyc.gov/mfta to learn more.
Students exploring the supplies from the MFTA warehouse for the arts department at P.S. 17 in Queens. Photo courtesy of MFTA.
MFTA’s fully electric van, Buttercup, at P.S. 17 in Queens. Photo courtesy of MFTA.
Third grade students from P.S. 17 in Queens at MFTA for a field trip and van naming activity. Photo courtesy of MFTA.
MFTA’s fully electric truck, Reusey Lucy, at P.S. 17 in Queens. Photo courtesy of MFTA.
The MFTA team gathers with third grade students and teachers at P.S.17 in Queens. Photo courtesy of MFTA.
MFTA’s truck (Reusey Lucy) and van (Buttercup) with new bumper stickers. Photos courtesy of MFTA.
Banner Image: Students submitting their electric vehicle name ideas into a papier-mâché MFTA truck. Photo courtesy of MFTA.
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is the largest municipal funder of culture in the country and is committed to providing access to art and culture for all New Yorkers.
