NEW YORK, NY (04/26/2023) — Today, in response to Mayor Adams’ executive budget proposal which preserved cultural funding and school budgets, Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable issued the following statement:
“Today’s executive budget response preserves cultural funding and school budgets, which is a victory for both students and educators. Arts are essential – from theatre to creative movement to literary arts, research shows that arts education fosters student growth and boosts school engagement. The power of arts education extends beyond school walls: supporting NYC’s cultural economy, boosting mental health and promoting public safety by giving young people constructive and nurturing outlets. But not every student has access to arts education. That must change as our City reimagines the student experience and commits to a whole child approach to learning. We’re hopeful this year’s final budget will invest in the arts – including a certified arts teacher at every school – as an evidence-based solution to supporting our city’s students – because it starts with the arts.”
You may be wondering…what happens now?
From now through June the Mayor and City Council will negotiate and finalize a budget for FY 2024. The Roundtable needs YOUR HELP calling on our city’s leaders to support arts education and the workforce behind it. We need to keep the drumbeat going and make it clear: now is the time for New York City to invest in arts and arts education (not keep it static or cut it!).
Take 60 seconds to send our city leaders an email in support of arts education using our easy-to-use, one-click form.