Roundtable Updates
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NYC Arts in Education Roundtable Applauds New York City Council for Support of Arts Education
NEW YORK, NY — Yesterday, the New York City Council released its preliminary budget response, which included a call for $30 million for cultural institutions and provisions to improve transparency in arts education. In response, Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable issued the following statement: “The arts are essential for New Yorkers […]
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NYC Council Announces Increased Arts Funding in New York City Public Schools
“Support for Arts Instruction Initiative” will provide $4.05MM to schools to fund arts instruction, up slightly from last year NEW YORK, NY (03/30/2026) (readMedia)– Today, the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable joined with Education Chair Council Member Dinowitz, Bronx Arts Ensemble, Dancing Classrooms, NYC Public Schools, and students celebrated the success of the Support for […]
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Arts Educators, Electeds Push for a Living Wage for Arts Teachers in Budget
Advocates Call on City Lawmakers to Address Cost of Living Crisis Facing Teaching Artists and Protect Arts Education in Schools Today, teaching artists, educators, and advocates rallied on the steps of City Hall to call on the Mayor and City Council to address the affordability crisis facing New York City’s arts education workforce and protect […]
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Arts Budget Hearing Testimony – February 26, 2026
New York City Arts in Education Roundtable 520 8th Avenue Suite 330 New York, NY 10018 Re: Support for Arts Education in New York State FY 2027 Budget Dear NY State Legislators, There is a critical need for support for arts education in NY State in the FY 2027 budget. Arts education and exposure to […]
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Op-Ed in NY Daily News: NYC should expand support for teaching artists
On February 10, 2026, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable Executive Director had the following op-ed published in the NY Daily News. Take a look at the op-ed below! Interested in other coverage from the Roundtable’s advocacy work? You can check out the latest “It Starts With the Arts” news over at our advocacy hub.
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Written Testimony: Oversight -Affordability in New York City’s Arts and Cultural Sector – February 9, 2026
Written Testimony: Oversight – Affordability in New York City’s Arts and Cultural Sector Hon. Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha WilliamsMonday, February 9, 2026 Thank you to Deputy Speaker Williams and the City Council for holding today’s hearing. My name is Kimberly Olsen, and I am proud to be the Executive Director of the NYC Arts in […]
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Seeking Student Artists: “It Starts With the Arts” Art & Poetry Competition
The NYC Arts in Education Roundtable is back with our “It Starts With the Arts” Campaign. This year, we are hosting our fourth annual citywide art competition to recognize and celebrate the talent of New York City students. For the first time, this competition will accept both visual art and poetry submissions. We are seeking student work […]
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Now Accepting Applications: 2026 New York State Teaching Artist Mentorship Program
The NYC Arts in Education Roundtable is proud to launch the fifth cohort of the New York State Teaching Artist Mentorship Program. This regrant opportunity seeks to proactively help mid-career Teaching Artists from across the state develop the networks, skills, and increased capacities necessary to support career advancement and sustainability. The program connects at least 22 mid-career Teaching […]
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Help Us Plan for the Next Five Years: Complete Our Arts Education Sector Survey
Survey Deadline: January 7, 2026 The NYC Arts in Education Roundtable is currently writing a strategic plan for the coming five years! We are proud to build on our work to support our constituents through the pandemic, increase our city and state advocacy, and maintain our commitment to equity and inclusion. To plan for the […]
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Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Polly Kahn Newland
The NYC Arts in Education Roundtable remembers and honors the legacy of Polly Kahn Newland, who passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Polly Kahn was a brilliant, wise, and unwaveringly kind leader in arts education, consistently serving as a trusted mentor, confidante, and friend to countless colleagues throughout her career. Her boundless energy, intellectual […]
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The Roundtable Releases FY 2025 Annual Report
On behalf of our staff and Board of Directors, the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable is thrilled to release our FY 2025 Annual Report. This extensive report features year-end highlights, insight into our audience and Board, a sneak peek into what’s ahead, and much more. We are so proud to share this with you and […]
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Creative Compass: Mapping Arts Education in NYC Public Schools – Vendor Information Form
RESPONSES NOW DUE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025 Calling all NYC Public Schools arts vendors! The Roundtable requests your participation to create a database of arts and cultural partners via “Creative Compass: Mapping Arts Education in NYC Public Schools.” KEY INFORMATION Survey Open Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025Survey Close Date: Extended to Friday, December 19, 2025 […]
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Testimonial Letter to the New York City Council Committee on Children & Youth- September 18, 2025
Oversight – Afterschool Expansion and DYCD’s Concept Paper Hon. Althea Stevens, Chair Thursday, September 18, 2025 Thank you for holding this oversight hearing on Afterschool Expansion and the Department of Youth and Community Development’s (DYCD) Concept Paper. My name is Kimberly Olsen, and I am the Executive Director of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable […]
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Register Now: City Council Oversight Hearing – Afterschool Expansion and DYCD’s Concept Paper (9/18/2025)
On Thursday, September 18th at 1pm ET, the NY City Council’s Committee on Children & Youth will host an Oversight Hearing on Afterschool Expansion and DYCD’s Concept Paper, chaired by Council Member Althea Stevens. Note: The hearing is currently scheduled to take place at 250 Broadway, New York, NY 10007 – Hearing Room 2, 8th […]
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Become a Face to Face 2026 Sponsor
What is Face to Face? Virtual Dates: March 30 – April 2, 2026In-Person Dates: April 8 – 9, 2026Location: Shepard Hall, City College of New York (160 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10031) The Face to Face Arts in Education Conference is the largest, most comprehensive arts education convening in New York State. In 2026, […]
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It Starts With the Arts 2025 Campaign Breakdown
By law, city government officials needed to pass a balanced budget by June 30th for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). With support from our partners at CMW Strategies, we wanted to uplift some top-line arts education-related highlights and updates: Update on Campaign Priorities City Council Initiatives We thank our […]
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The NYC Arts in Education Roundtable Elects Two New Board Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Kimberly Olsen, kolsen@nycaieroundtable.org NEW YORK, NY – The New York City Arts in Education Roundtable is pleased to announce the election of two new members to the Board of Directors: Nancy Kleaver and Jolene Wang. Board Co-Chair Traci Lester welcomes newly elected Board Members, “We are excited to welcome Nancy and Jolene to […]
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Call for Proposals: Face to Face 2026
The New York City Arts in Education Roundtable is now accepting proposals for sessions and panels for Face to Face 2026. The conference is scheduled to take place between March 30 – April 9, 2026. The 2026 conference will be a hybrid experience with both virtual and in-person offerings. The in-person conference venue is Shepard […]
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Help Us Ensure Arts is Part of Universal Afterschool in NYC by July 11th!
TIME SENSITIVE: Help Us Ensure Arts is Part of Universal Afterschool in NYC by July 11th! Following the historic commitment to create “After School for All” in NYC, the Department of Youth & Community Development released a concept paper and call for feedback to assist with the development of an upcoming RFP for contracts to […]
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NYC Arts in Education Roundtable Applauds Mayor, City Council for Historic Arts Education Investment in FY2026 Budget
Historic embrace of arts and culture will support critical programming for students throughout the city for years to come NEW YORK, NY — On Friday, the New York City Council and Mayor Adams struck a deal on the FY2026 budget, which permanently restores and baselines $41 million for arts education in NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) and adds an […]
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NYC Educators Urge Mayor, Council To Prioritize Arts Teachers As City Meets Class-Size Mandate
Letter signed by 120+ educators states clearly: “Without ensuring hiring across all subjects — including the arts — the City cannot achieve its goal of improving education outcomes for all students” NEW YORK, NY — Today, more than 120 educators across the five boroughs sent a letter to Mayor Adams, Chancellor Aviles-Ramos, and the City Council […]