Budget makes crucial commitment to arts by restoring funding at risk and protecting citywide initiative — but falls short of expanding access for students who lack arts teacher in their schools
NEW YORK, NY — Today, the New York City Council passed the FY25 budget, which includes $41 million to restore federal COVID-era funding for arts education and $4 million to protect the “Support for Arts Instruction” initiative, which helps improve arts access in schools with limited instruction. The budget also includes $53 million to restore funding for cultural institutions and the Cultural Development Fund, which support critical arts partnerships for students and help spur their growth. In response, Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director of the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable, issued the following statement:
“Culture, and arts education, are essential for both our students and our city. Dance, music, theater, media, and the visual arts are integral to students’ ability to grow both in and out of the classroom, and they help boost academic outcomes, improve engagement, and foster better mental and developmental health. This budget makes critical commitments to protecting arts education for our students, while providing them with the holistic educational experience that every child deserves. But we cannot stop there. Unfortunately, the arts remain out of reach for thousands of students who lack a certified arts teacher in their school. While we are thankful to the Council and Mayor for restoring the federal funds and reversing cuts to cultural funding, it leaves far too many school children without access to the arts. We’re looking forward to working with Chancellor Banks throughout the year to secure the correct – and needed – allocation of arts education funding. We will not stop until every student has access to an arts teacher that can support their future – because it starts with the arts.”
Background:
In March, the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable joined with actors, students and educators to launch “It Starts with the Arts,” a campaign urging the Mayor and City Council to save COVID-era federal arts education funding at risk of expiring and for further investment in the arts to ensure every student has access to a certified arts teacher. Last month, more than 200 New York City public school teachers sent a letter to Mayor Adams urging him to prioritize arts education in this year’s budget and address the shortfall in federal funding before it causes a crisis.
Between 2020 and 2023, public schools across the city lost 425 full-time certified arts teachers — meaning roughly 1 in 7 school children do not have a full time arts teacher. Currently, 307 NYC public schools (more than 19% of the city’s public schools) lack a single certified arts teacher. The NYC Arts in Education Roundtable will continue to advocate for the thousands of students without sufficient arts opportunities in their schools and is committed to working with elected officials to expand access to the arts for every student.