Seeking $75 million, New York City’s arts and culture sector calls on the City to increase baseline funding in next year’s budget
NEW YORK (March 18, 2025) – Members of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), New Yorkers for Culture & Arts, the Arts in Education Roundtable, and other arts and cultural organizations gathered on the steps of City Hall today, Tuesday, March 18, to call on the City to implement a $75 million baseline increase for the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA).
Those rallying in support included Coco Killingsworth, Chair of the CIGs; Lucy Sexton, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Culture & Arts, Kim Olsen, Executive Director of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable, Dmitri Barcode, National Queer Theater; Jeffrey Sellers, Actors Equity; Lauren Miller, HERE theater; Chris Durosinmi, Wildlife Conservation Society/NY Aquarium; Candace Zachery-Thompson, Dance/NYC; and Erika Atkins, Bloomingdale School of Music.
Leaders at the rally emphasized the importance of increased funding to DCLA’s baseline, citing rising operating costs for institutions, understaffing at the agency, as well as the increasing uncertainty of federal funding. Organizations also highlighted the current, unpredictable nature of one-time funding which hinders their ability to plan for the long term, maintain consistent public programming, and employ more full-time staff.
New York City’s arts and culture sector generates $110 billion in annual economic activity, employs thousands of union and nonunion jobs, and provides diverse programming and services for New Yorkers from all walks of life. Last spring, the arts and culture sector in partnership with the City Council successfully fought to reverse devastating cuts to CIG and CDF organizations. However, even with this success, baseline funding for institutions has remained stagnant since 2009, and the proposed Fiscal 2026 preliminary budget is $91 million below the Fiscal 2025 adopted budget.
A $75 million baseline increase would help organizations pay for union employees, more accessible public programs, and security and maintenance of city-owned buildings.
"New York's arts organizations and cultural institutions are a vital part of what makes our city exceptional. They are not just major economic drivers, they are the heart and soul of our communities, enriching our lives and showcasing our values. In the face of ongoing challenges, from the slow recovery of tourism to shifting federal policies, we must ensure that the arts and culture sector is fully supported in the coming fiscal year. Investing in the arts is investing in the future of New York and I remain committed to working to protect and expand funding for our vital cultural nonprofits,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries.
“Our cultural institutions are integral to New York City,” said Coco Killingsworth, Chair of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG). "The City provides essential funding to CIGs, which operate in public facilities for the benefit of all New Yorkers and the City. However, the baseline support for CIGs has not increased since 2009, and our institutions continue to struggle year after year as costs rise. The Fiscal 2026 Preliminary Budget falls short of ensuring that our institutions have what they need to fully serve New Yorkers and attract tourists to our great city. Furthermore, the ongoing budget dance to secure one-time funding each year creates an unpredictable environment, limiting full-time employment and resulting in sporadic, time-limited public programming over dependable, consistent access for New Yorkers. To protect and stabilize our sector, it is imperative that the City baselines $75 million for arts and culture in Fiscal 2026. Thank you to Chair Rivera and all of the members of the Culture Affairs Committee for hosting this important hearing. We appreciate the Council’s partnership and hope that our message was clear: Investment in culture is an investment in New York City.
“Culture and arts are not only the soul and identity of NYC, but they generate some $110B in economic activity! As we face attacks on funding from the federal government, we will need the revenue generated by our field even more! In addition, a new study by UPenn’s Social Impact of the Arts Project shows that the presence of robust cultural centers and activities in a neighborhood has a dramatic positive impact on its community—this is particularly true for low-wealth neighborhoods where cultural assets have been shown to improve outcomes in education, mental health, public safety, and even longevity! Our city needs economic vitality, and our communities need to be kept whole as we face the financial challenges of the coming year.” said Lucy Sexton, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Culture & Arts
“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 from the city or federal government will disproportionately hurt the students who rely on them most. City lawmakers should recognize the critical role that the cultural arts have on our students’ wellbeing, and prioritize funding for cultural institutions in this year's budget,” said Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director of the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable.
"Any child can tell you that plants need water and sunlight to thrive. Any New Yorker will tell you that their city needs cultural institutions to thrive. And anyone who works at a botanical garden, zoo, museum or theatre will tell you that a cultural institution needs money to thrive.” said Adrian Benepe, President and CEO of Brooklyn Botanic Garden. “The City Council and the Mayor must finally baseline $75 million in the Department of Cultural Affairs budget to support cultural institutions across the five boroughs. Without them, New York City could lose $110 billion in economic activity, and the safe accessible spaces available to New Yorkers and visitors alike.”
“The board and staff of New York City Center stand with our fellow CIGs in calling for a $75 million baseline increase to the DCLA budget in Fiscal 2026. This critical investment will strengthen cultural organizations, allowing us to continue serving as lifelines for communities across the five boroughs while sustaining and creating thousands of cultural jobs that power New York City’s creative economy. Since our founding by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, we have been committed to being a theater for all New Yorkers—this funding will ensure we can uphold that mission and support the artists and cultural workers who make it possible.” said Michael S. Rosenberg, President and CEO of New York City Center.
"New York City's cultural institutions are the heart and soul of our communities, providing spaces where history, art, and education come to life for millions of residents and visitors alike. Yet, year after year, we face an uncertain future due to temporary funding solutions that undermine our ability to plan, grow, and serve. A $75 million baseline increase to the cultural budget is not just an investment in museums and historic sites—it is an investment in jobs, in education, in economic vitality, and in the well-being of all New Yorkers. Let’s end the budget dance and ensure that culture remains a permanent, thriving part of our city’s fabric." said Jessica B. Philips, CEO of Historic Richmond Town.
“For over 50 years, El Museo del Barrio has been the nation’s leading museum dedicated to Latinx art, artists, and audiences. As a vital cultural anchor in East Harlem and New York City, we provide world-class exhibitions, free bilingual arts education, and dynamic community programs that serve thousands of residents, students, and visitors each year. As a proud member of the Cultural Institutions Group, we play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to the arts—enriching communities, driving economic growth, and preserving the diverse cultural fabric of our city. Continued investment in El Museo and New York’s arts institutions is an investment in the city’s future, advancing cultural equity, education, and civic engagement while reinforcing New York’s standing as a global leader in the arts.” said Cynthia Carrion, El Museo del Barrio
“Another year, another resource-draining budget dance. Another call to invest a baseline increase in cultural institutions, programs, and artists across the City, and to support the Department of Cultural Affairs. Another demand that words of commitment from our elected officials be matched with action—real action—to support arts and culture. Another chance to play “Let’s Check the Numbers”: City budget, up 89%; DCLA baseline, up 10%. Thank you for playing. And remember those 15,700 employees, those 5,800 union members, those 6,000 artists, educators, and staff at cultural institutions? Remember the $110B that arts and culture stokes into our local economy? We do! So end the tyranny of one-time funding. And let’s invest $75M into DCLA’s FY26 budget.” said Leonard Jacobs, Executive Director of Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning
“National Queer Theater supports the beautiful diversity of New York City and the transgender and immigrant people who make and shape the world we all share. Trans people are humans. We are artists and culture makers. We have always been here and always will be.” said Dmitri Barconi, National Queer Theater
“The Public Theater is grateful for the work of the Council. the Borough Presidents, and the Department of Cultural Affairs in the post-pandemic budget cycles to support the recovery of the arts and culture sector; however, more is needed to address years of deteriorating City support for arts and culture. Baselining $75 million in the FY26 budget will serve as a significant step forward in adequately funding DCLA and its CIG and CDF funding recipients. Without this investment in the city budget, The Public and many of its peers will be forced to make painful programming and staffing cuts to the great disservice of the New Yorkers they are designed to serve,” said Patrick Willingham, Executive Director of The Public Theater.