REMARKS
Council Member Justin Brannan remarks on importance of New York City's cultural institutions
2:35:43
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95 sec
Justin Brannan, chair of the NYC Council's Finance Committee, expresses concern that the city agency overseeing cultural affairs (DCLA) receives only 0.1% of the total city budget, despite the exponential impact cultural institutions have on New York's economy and identity.
- He argues the small DCLA budget does not reflect the vital role of cultural institutions.
- He claims underfunding culture makes NYC no different than smaller cities without vibrant arts.
- He suggests the administration is being 'penny-wise and pound-foolish' by severely limiting DCLA's funding.
Justin Brannan
2:35:43
I mean, we agree with all of that obviously.
Gale A. Brewer
2:35:46
I'm so glad.
Justin Brannan
2:35:48
And as someone who you know, I I learned 3 or 4 chords in in a music class and I
Laurie Cumbo
2:35:56
think you learned a little bit more.
Justin Brannan
2:35:57
No.
2:35:58
Punker.
2:35:58
I've read the article.
2:35:59
You don't need more than 3 courts.
2:36:03
But now as chair the finance committee is certainly understanding that not, you know, the role that cultural institutions play not only as a foundation for our neighborhoods in our city, but really as, you know, a main cog in the engine of the city's economy.
2:36:17
It's concerning to the council, and it should be concerning to everybody that the you know, an agency that that is tasked with cultural affairs in our city has a budget that's only 110th of 1% of the city's total budget.
2:36:35
There's a million ways you can bump up that number by including funding from other agencies.
2:36:39
But the bottom line is DCLA is funded at 110th of 1% of the city's budget, and for the cultural institutions that really have such an exponential impact for our city and our economy.
2:36:51
And when we talk about New York City and what makes New York City so special.
2:36:55
Without our cultural institutions, we would be, I don't know, Des Moines, Iowa.
2:37:00
No offense to Des Moines.
2:37:02
Right?
2:37:04
But so I guess our concern is the administration seems to be pennywise and pound foolish when it comes to such a relatively small amount of funding with regard to the the city's cultural institutions.
← Previous Chapter
Why were the Program to Eliminate the Gap (PEGs) not fully restored this year and did the Department of Cultural Affairs fight for full restoration of the Scheduling and Grants (Sigs) and Cultural Development Fund (CDFs) budgets with city hall?
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What is being done to increase funding for arts and cultural institutions in New York City?
