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NYC Arts in Education Roundtable

NYC Arts in Education Roundtable Responds to Mayor Adams’ Preliminary Budget Proposal

2 minutes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 16, 2024
CONTACT: Kimberly Olsen, kolsen@nycaieroundtable.org; Becky Stern, becky@pythiapublic.com

Today, in response to Mayor Eric Adams’ preliminary budget proposal, Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable issued the following statement:

“The arts are essential to a thriving New York City, and affect every part of our city by boosting mental health, improving public safety, and fostering opportunities for student growth and engagement. Arts are not optional — they are core to a well-rounded education and integral to our city’s approach to an improved future for all. Mayor Adams’ preliminary budget falls short of what is needed —cuts to the Department of Cultural Affairs harm the heartbeat of our city’s cultural economic engine alongside future generations of New Yorkers who rely on arts and arts education for their wellbeing. Culture cannot be discarded amid difficult discussions, which is why the Council and the Administration must protect that funding in their negotiations in the coming months. Culture and arts education should not be the first thing on the chopping block, and we’re determined to make sure that isn’t the case this year.”

The complete January 2024 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 listed in the FY 2024 Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEG) and the Mayor’s FY 2025 Preliminary Budget:

  • Department of Cultural Affairs: The Department of Cultural Affairs sustained another 5% cut to their FY 2024 budget. DCLA funding will be cut by $11M total this year — a $7.4M reduction to the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) and $4M reduction to cultural programs. The FY 2025 preliminary budget indicates a $7M cut to DCLA, manifesting as $5.5M and $2M cuts to CIGs and cultural programs, respectively. It is our understanding that Cultural Development Fund award letters for FY 2024 will be released within the next 1-2 weeks.
  • More information to come soon!

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