Seeking $53 million, cultural community calls on Mayor Eric Adams to reverse budget cuts and to baseline funding next year’s budget
Legendary Recording Artist and Performer Nona Hendryx stands with
the cultural community to stress the importance of fully funding the arts
NEW YORK (May 25, 2024) -- Elected officials, arts and culture organizations, the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), New Yorkers for Culture & Arts (NY4CA), the Cultural Equity Coalition of New York (CECNY) and the Latinx Arts Consortium of New York (LxNY) gathered on the steps of City Hall this week, Tuesday, May 21, to rally in support of restoring $53 million to culture funding for New York’s cultural sector. The rally coincides with the cultural community’s digital letter-writing campaign asking Mayor Adams reverse cuts to culture, and to baseline funding for FY 25.
Those rallying for the support at City Hall included legendary recording Nona Hendryx; Coco Killingsworth, CIGs Chair; Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine; Leonard Paul, President of Local 374, DC 37; a representative from the Bronx Chamber of Commerce; and countless leaders from cultural institutions of all size and discipline from across the city.
Leaders spoke about how arts and culture is a vital economic engine for New York City, generating $110 billion in annual economic activity. Leaders also described the impact of Mayor Adams’ cuts this year -- canceled school trips, deferred maintenance, reduction of staff. More, tourism revenue has surged over the past two years: visitation to NYC is on a path to returning pre-COVID levels (from 57 million visitors in ’22, to 62 million in ’23). The cultural community is calling on all New Yorkers to take action by writing Mayor Adams to ask for this critical $53 million baseline restoration.
“New York’s unrivaled artistic talent is reflected in the vibrant arts and culture scene that makes our city so special. This sector generates an outsized economic output of $110 billion annually and any cuts to culture has devastating impacts on multiple layers of economic activity. I am proud to have been able to help negotiate a restoration of $22 million in funding for cultural institution groups, but there is more work to do to secure further restorations, particularly for smaller and medium-sized groups. Access to art and culture is linked to wellbeing, improved quality of life, and safer neighborhoods. I remain committed to working alongside Speaker Adrienne Adams and colleagues to fight for a balanced budget that invests equitably in every community,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries.
“Arts and culture are the lifeblood of our city, and if New York City is to remain the cultural capital of the world, we must invest in our beloved cultural institutions,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Beyond their impact on New Yorkers, the cultural and creative economy generates $110 billion in economic activity for our city, underscoring the importance of supporting their success. The Council has consistently advocated for the restoration of critical funds for arts and cultural organizations that enrich the lives of New Yorkers and deserve our full support."
“New York City is the cultural capital of the world. That’s a fact we repeat year after year, not as a boast, but as a reminder of our obligations to our city and to ourselves. The Big Apple achieved that status largely by accident, with a proud history of successive individuals and communities arriving to this melting pot, bringing their music, food, art, and so much more in tow. Still, maintaining our cultural excellence requires commitment and intentionality from government. Cultural funding yields powerful dividends in public health, public safety, education outcomes, and, importantly, economic activity that ensures our investments pay for themselves many times over. I am proud to stand consistently as an advocate for the sensible, savvy, and necessary choice to fully fund culture in the City of New York.” said Council Member Chi Osse.
“Cultural organizations drive $110 billion in economic activity across New York each year, so it’s incumbent upon the City to invest in this backbone of our economy. Cuts to culture result in cuts to industry jobs, life-changing programming, and equitable access to these institutions,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “As we continue to recover from the pandemic, now is the time to fully support cultural organizations.”
“Without a thriving arts and culture sector, New York City simply wouldn’t be the greatest city in the world,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “In Brooklyn and across all five boroughs, the arts and culture sector is a vital economic engine and powerful tool for self-expression and community building. I stand strong with fellow elected officials and arts and culture organizations in calling on Mayor Adams to reverse cuts to culture and baseline funding for FY 25.”
“Our borough’s arts and cultural institutions are the backbone of Queens," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "They are the key reasons of why Queens is such a great place to live, work and visit. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see funding for these institutions being cut so drastically. I wholeheartedly join in the call for these budget cuts to be reversed.”
“I stand with my colleagues in government, advocates, the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), New Yorkers for Culture & Arts (NY4CA), the Cultural Equity Coalition of New York (CECNY), the Latinx Arts Consortium of New York (LxNY) and others in calling for the administration to restore funding to our cultural organizations,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Our cultural institutions provide an invaluable service to our city by enriching our residents and visitors with knowledge and information and provide our youth outlets for their curiosity and creativity to expand.”
"NYC's culture is in crisis. This year's budget cuts have had a devastating impact on the sector, which was already reeling from rising costs, audiences still not back to 2019 levels, and a retreat from culture funding by foundations. We are seeing closures, layoffs, reduced hours, and less shows and classes being offered. This is especially damaging for organizations in low wealth communities without a pool of private donors or deep pockets. That means that our communities are less vibrant, our youth and seniors less engaged, and our arts workers less employed. The city must reverse the cuts and invest in a thriving, joyous, and prosperous city!" said Lucy Sexton, Executive Director, New Yorkers for Culture & Arts.
“Arts and culture are what allows NYC residents to thrive and the city be a magnet for tourism and business,” said Adrian Benepe, President and CEO of Brooklyn Botanic Garden. “We urge the Mayor to fully restore and baseline the $53 Million that will adequately fund the museums, gardens, zoos, performing arts venues and the hundreds of neighborhood arts and culture programs.”
"Restoring cultural funding is about investing in the future of our communities. The arts inspire, educate, and bring us together. Mayor Adams, we urge you to recognize the critical importance of this funding for the vibrancy and resilience of New York City." Jessica B. Phillips, CEO Historic Richmond Town
“Serving as both artistic and community hubs, the arts are the beating heart of this city. New York City’s cultural ecosystem drives tourism, creates jobs, catalyzes economic activity, and supports thriving communities," said Leah C. Johnson, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications, Marketing & Advocacy Officer at Lincoln Center. “We urge Mayor Adams and the City Council to support the arts as a critical piece of public infrastructure that enriches our economic resilience, positively impacts health, and lays the foundation for a stronger and more equitable city.”
"Investing in arts and STEM education is crucial for cultivating a vibrant, innovative society. The partial restoration in April only addresses the needs of this current fiscal year, but in order to ensure that New Yorkers are equipped in arts and STEM learning, the cultural community needs a positive investment," said Minerva Tantoco, Interim President & CEO of the New York Hall of Science. "The arts inspire creativity and foster critical thinking, while STEM fields drive technological advancements and economic growth. By funding these essential areas, we empower the next generation to think broadly, solve complex problems, and contribute meaningfully to our cultural and scientific landscapes."
“Arts and culture organizations are also lifelines for our youth, for low-income New Yorkers, and for families throughout the five boroughs who rely on institutions like New York Botanical Gardens,” said Aaron Bouska, Bronx Vice Chair of the CIGs. “We are the backyard of many Bronx families, providing critical access to nature and the myriad physical and emotional benefits it offers. CIGs keep kids engaged, focused, curious, and excited about their city and natural world. We produce the scientists, scholars, business people, artists, and well-rounded adults of tomorrow.”
“It is undeniable that the health and wellbeing of New York City is bolstered by its vibrant and diverse cultural community, and as Carnegie Hall has demonstrated for decades, the public-private partnership between the CIG and the City has yielded extraordinary benefits both city- and statewide,” said Carnegie Hall Executive and Artistic Director Clive Gillinson. "We know that culture supports our local economy: the CIG's direct impact on the City economy includes approximately $500 million in spending on local vendors for goods and services. For Carnegie Hall, we welcome over 750,000 attendees each season to the 170 concerts we produce, and some 500 events presented by outside producers, in three halls as well as in community venues throughout the five boroughs. And as if driving economic revenue to New York City isn’t enough on its own, arts and culture is a lifeline for our youth, for low-income New Yorkers and for families throughout the five boroughs that rely on their local institutions and citywide institutions. So while we congratulate you on the City’s strong outlook and far brighter financial results and celebrate your leadership in achieving this success, we urge you to restore the cuts imposed on your Department of Cultural Affairs and thus to organizations like Carnegie Hall. New York’s cultural organizations are as central to our city’s life as the other essential services—libraries, parks, police, fire, and sanitation—which have been restored based on the improved financial outlook. If these cuts are not rescinded now, this unprecedented disinvestment in arts and culture risks harm to our economy, our communities and NYC’s standing as a world-class destination and cultural leader."
"Due to cuts already implemented, Wave Hill has had to institute a hiring freeze while we seek to hire talented New York City residents to fill vacant positions in our Horticulture, Public Program, Education, and Arts departments. Full restoration of funding is vital in helping Wave Hill to best serve our Bronx community and Wave Hill's 150,000 annual visitors, public school children served through our environmental education programs, and youth employed through our STEM-based internships,” said Ray Oladapo-Johnson, President and Executive Director, Wave Hill.
“If you care about our kids, families, jobs, and the spending power of millions and millions of New Yorkers and tourists, then you care about arts and culture. Today, we call on Mayor Adams to stop holding cultural institutions hostage in budget negotiations and dismissing a nonprofit sector driving $110 billion in economic activity every year. We call on Mayor Adams to stop treating our 15,700 full-time and part-time workers—including 5,800 union members—like minor annoyances that he alone can make invisible. We call on Mayor Adams to restore the $53 million that you cut from our organizations. We will be watching. And we do vote.” said Leonard Jacobs, for the staff and board of Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning.
“A budget is a statement of values and NYC must show up for our arts and culture community,” said Mino Lora, Executive Artistic Director for People’s Theatre Project and steering member of the Cultural Equity Coalition and Latinx Arts Consortium of NY. “We call on the administration to commit to reversing the cuts and hold funding for both the CDF programs and CIGs and increase the arts budget in the next fiscal year by $53M. NYC is great because of its people and our artistic community. Theater, music, dance, and arts allow us to come together as New Yorkers, create community and make meaning. Today, we ask the city to firmly join us and say presente!”
“Cultural institutions are essential to New York City, and the rich diversity of arts programming opportunities they offer is crucial to providing a holistic education for our students. Their continued partnerships with schools across our city are a lifeline for students who otherwise lack access to the arts — and any cuts to cultural funding would have a dramatic and negative effect on students while exacerbating their already inequitable access to the arts. Lawmakers should recognize the critical role that the cultural arts have on our students’ wellbeing, and guarantee the funding for cultural institutions remains whole,” said Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director of the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable.
“People want to move to, live in, and visit NYC because of the depth and diversity of cultural programs. This year’s funding cuts have done tremendous harm to tourism, economic development, and community health. While the $6.5M cut from CDF grantees is but a tiny fraction of the $110B we help to generate for NYC, it is essential to our survival. If this $6.5M is not restored in FY24, thousands of jobs for artists and administrators, and the economic impact that comes from those jobs and the programs those artists create, will be lost.” Risa Shoup, Co-Executive Director A.R.T./New York and Candace Thompson-Zachery, Co-Executive Director, Dance/NYC
“The interconnectivity of diverse businesses and cultural organizations is paramount to delivering New Yorkers and visitors the quality institutions and neighborhoods we are known for,” said Lisa Sorin, President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
New Yorkers for Culture & Arts (NY4CA) is a citywide coalition of artists, culture workers, and cultural organizations from the five boroughs. NY4CA works to connect and support the cultural community, and to unite in advocating for improved policy and increased funding so that every New Yorker in every community can engage in the transformative power of culture. At this critical time, the city needs to invest in a stable and equitable cultural ecosystem in order to build a new, safe, sane, and vibrant city.
The Cultural Equity Coalition (CECNYC) is a diverse group of over 60 nonprofit performing arts centers, cultural organizations, community art centers, service organizations, and others located in all five boroughs of New York City.
LxNY: Latinx Arts Consortium of New York is a network formed by 40+ Latinx-serving cultural organizations based in New York City dedicated to knowledge exchange, resource-sharing, and collective action towards systemic change.
Media contact: NY4CA, Lucy Sexton, lucy@ny4ca.org 646-662-6890
CECNY, Risa Shoup, rshoup@art-newyork.org, 201-693-2392
CIG, Ken Weine, kenweine@gmail.com; 917-723-4921
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