Advocacy
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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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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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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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“Best Budget Ever” Gets Even Better: Mayor Adams, DCLA, Cultural Leaders Celebrate Historic Investments in City’s Cultural Sector as Part of FY 2026 Adopted Budget
Follows Agreement Between Adams Administration and New York City Council on $116 BillionFY 2026 Adopted Budget to Create a Safer, More Affordable City for Working-Class Families Adopted Budget Invests Nearly $300 Million in Department of Cultural Affairs,Largest Investment in New York City History, Including First SubstantialBaseline Funding Increase in Over 10 Years Adopted Budget Also […]
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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 […]
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NYC Arts in Education Roundtable Rallies with Council Members, Teachers & Advocates To Celebrate Investment in Arts Education
Historic $41 million investment in arts education will support hundreds of thousands of students across NYC who rely on public funding for access to the arts NEW YORK, NY — Today, the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable joined with Council Members Keith Powers, Eric Dinowitz, and Chris Marte, 2025 Tony Award-winner and Brooklyn teacher Gary […]
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2025 NYC Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire on Arts Education
As we approach the upcoming mayoral elections, it is clear that the future of public education in city schools is a top priority for parents and the general public. For this reason, the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable seeks to provide our community with a deeper understanding of the views and positions of NYC mayoral […]
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Federal Advocacy Update from the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable
The following letter was sent out to the Roundtable mailing list on Monday, May 5th. To stay up to date with weekly e-blasts about advocacy efforts, best practices, current trends, upcoming events, and more, please subscribe to the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable mailing list. As additional changes or resources become available, we are doing […]
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NYC Arts in Education Roundtable Applauds Mayor Adams for Major Investment in Arts Education
Historic $90 million down payment on arts and arts education for the cultural capital of the world NEW YORK, NY — Today, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that this year’s city budget will permanently restore and baseline $41 million for arts education in NYC Public Schools and add an additional $4 million for […]
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Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Contracts Oversight Hearing on Examining Late Payments to Human Service Providers
Thank you to Chair Won, fellow Committee Members and Council staff, for your advocacy and championing of paying nonprofits on time. My name is Kimberly Olsen, and I am the Executive Director of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable — a nonprofit arts service organization working to improve and advance NYC arts education in partnership […]
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Announcing the 2025 “It Starts With the Arts” Student Artists
As we continue this year’s “It Starts With the Arts” Campaign, the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable is thrilled to announce the selected artists from our citywide visual art competition to recognize and celebrate the talent of New York City students. All entries were inspired by the title “It Starts With the Arts”. We received nearly 100 […]
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Testimony to the New York City Council Joint Oversight Hearing on Ensuring Equity and Access in the Arts
Testimony to the New York City CouncilCommittees on Education & Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup RelationsHon. Rita Joseph, Chair // Hon. Carlina Rivera, ChairHearing: Joint Oversight Hearing – Ensuring Equity and Access in the ArtsTuesday, April 8, 2025 Thank you Chair Joseph and Chair Rivera, esteemed Committee Members, and Council staff for your championing […]
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NYC Electeds, Advocates Call for Greater Transparency in Arts Funding
PRESS RELEASEFOR PLANNING PURPOSES: April 8th, 2024 Group urges Council leadership to improve arts education data transparency so all students can more equitably access and participate in quality arts instruction — especially as Trump admin threatens to disrupt access for students who rely on public funding most NEW YORK, NY — Today, the NYC Arts in […]
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Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs – March 18, 2025
Testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs Hon. Carlina Rivera, ChairHearing: Preliminary Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2026Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Thank you to Chair Rivera, fellow Committee Members and Council staff, for your passion, leadership, and support of arts education in New York City. My name is Kimberly Olsen, and I […]
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NYC Arts in Education Roundtable Executive Director Testifies at NYC Council Cultural Affairs Budget Hearing
“We want inviting, colorful, vibrant, and thriving communities — that starts with the arts.” NEW YORK, NY — Today, Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director of the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable, testified at the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs’ Preliminary Budget hearing about the critical role cultural organizations play in providing […]
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Written Testimonial Letter to the New York City Council Committee on Finance – March 5, 2025
Written Testimonial Letter to the New York City Council Committee on Finance Hon. Justin Brannan, ChairHearing: Preliminary Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2026Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Thank you to Chair Brannan and the City Council for your commitment to New Yorkers and support of arts, culture, and arts education across New York City. My name is […]
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NYC Council Announces Increased Arts Funding in New York City Public Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2025 “Support for Arts Instruction” will provide $4M to schools to fund arts instruction, up $1M from last year NEW YORK CITY, NY – Today, the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable joined with Finance Chair Justin Brannan, Arts and Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations Chair Carlina Rivera, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, Education Chair […]
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Testimony Letter to NY State Legislators on FY26 State Budget
Re: Support for Arts Education in New York State FY 2026 Budget Dear NY State Legislators, There is a critical need for support for arts education in NY State in the FY 2026 budget. Arts education and exposure to New York’s cultural riches are an essential component of every child’s education. New York must prioritize […]