November 21, 2023

Last week, Mayor Adams released the 2023 November Financial Plan outlining revenue and spending changes to the New York City budget. This Financial Plan includes the first round of budget reductions that were originally announced in September 2023. In response, Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director of the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable, issued the following statement:

“In the vibrant tapestry of New York City, arts and culture are not merely threads but weave together our city’s unique identity and economic vitality. The budget cuts announced last week jeopardize not only the creative economy but the very fabric of our city’s spirit and prosperity. The two-year reduction to arts programs and institutions is $16.4 million. These cuts are extremely short-sighted, and we call upon Mayor Adams to reverse them as we enter the next budget cycle. 

Arts and cultural organizations provide a lifeline of support to New Yorkers of all ages. To stifle this economic engine is to stifle critical services and the very heartbeat of our city’s economic growth. Furthermore, cuts to NYC Public Schools, Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Youth and Community Development, and more will have an immediate and long-lasting impact on not only the cultural workforce but our city’s young people as well. As we collectively navigate the challenges ahead, the Roundtable remains committed to advocating for our membership and the communities we serve.”

The complete November 2023 Financial Plan (Fiscal Years 2024 – 2027) and accompanying supplemental materials can be found on the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget website. As it relates to our community’s work, we wish to uplift the following budget items:

• Cuts are imposed on every mayoral agency; commissions and other elected offices (Borough Presidents, District Attorneys, Public Advocate, and the City Council) are not cut in this Financial Plan — including CASA, Su-CASA, and Support for Arts Instruction Initiatives. This could change in future Financial Plans.
• Support for cultural programs is reduced by $2.6M and the Cultural Institutions Group is cut by $5.8M this year. Additional cuts are also proposed within plan for future fiscal years ($1.4M and $6.5M, respectively). We are waiting for information on how this will impact the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) and other DCLA programming.
• The Department of Youth and Community Development loses approximately $30M in the current year and $43.7M next year, including substantial cuts to Summer Rising and Compass after school programs.
• Two-year savings in NYC Public Schools amount to more than $1 billion and include cuts to community schools, early childhood programs, and per diem spending. A vacancy reduction eliminates 432 positions.

According to the City’s Charter, city officials are required to make quarterly updates to the multi-year Financial Plan. The City Charter also mandates that the current year’s budget be balanced. In line with the Mayor’s announcement earlier this year, we can expect further cuts – as much as 15 percent in total.. Yesterday the Office of Management and Budget asked agencies to develop proposals for another five percent reduction to be considered for the City’s Preliminary Budget.

Please feel free to reach out with questions to Executive Director, Kimberly Olsen at kolsen@nycaieroundtable.org. The Roundtable will continue to share information with our membership and community as it becomes available. In the interim, we hope you will join the Roundtable by participating in Nonprofit New York’s #WHY15 advocacy campaign. Please click below for more information and to sign their open letter.