Between 2020 and 2023, public schools across the city lost 425 full-time certified arts teachers — nearly 15% of the city’s total number of arts teachers. Currently, 307 NYC public schools (more than 19% of the city’s public schools) lack a single certified arts teacher. Without adequate funding in this year’s budget, thousands more students will lose access to arts opportunities in their school.
Teachers at the event will share an open letter to city lawmakers urging them to include $38 million in their budget to ensure every school has at least one certified arts teacher and restore up to $41 million in expiring arts education funding that supports critical programming at every public school. The Adams Administration included $41 million in funding restorations in the Mayor’s executive budget last week.
To RSVP for the event, please email advocacy@nycaieroundtable.org.
