TESTIMONY
Dohini Sompura, Director of Governmental Affairs at the American Museum of Natural History, on Increasing Operational Funding for Cultural Institutions in New York City
4:12:38
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103 sec
Sompura advocates for increased operational funding for cultural institutions in New York City.
- She emphasizes the vital economic role of cultural institutions in powering tourism, employment, and commerce
- She notes these institutions have not received increased operational support in over 15 years despite rising costs
- She requests $53 million in baseline funding for institutions, including restoration of past cuts
- She asks for full restoration of cultural initiative funding from the City Council
- She highlights institutions' commitment to quality programming and visitor experiences despite financial challenges
Dohini Sompura
4:12:38
Good afternoon, Chair Brandon, Chair Rivera, and council member, Gilbert, My name is Nohini Sampora, and I'm providing testimony on behalf of the American Museum Natural History.
4:12:47
As has been said over and over again during this hearing, Sigs are a vital economic engine that power tourism, employment, and commerce, in addition to providing cultural education and workforce development opportunities for New Yorkers.
4:12:58
While A and H is extremely appreciative of the restorations for the fiscal 2020, 2025 financial plan cuts, that would not have been possible without the incredible leadership of the city council, there is still more work to be done.
4:13:12
A m and h along with our other partners State Partner Institutions have not seen an increase in operational support for well over 15 years.
4:13:20
Over this time period, the cost of operating our institutions including staff wages, increased under union contracts, increased cost of healthcare, and retirement benefits have grown.
4:13:30
But yet, we are all all have continued to provide high quality programming and exceptional visitor experience that we're all known for.
4:13:38
This is a critical time for the cultural community as budget cuts lead to job losses, closures, deferred maintenance, and less public access and fewer programs.
4:13:47
So I'm here to ask for $53,000,000 in baseline funding, which includes a restoration and a member plan cuts, 40,000,000 one time funding that cultural institutions received in FY 'twenty 4 along with the $5,000,000 and FY 'twenty three.
4:14:01
For far too long, cultural institutions have been part of a budget dance that impedes our ability to plan financially for the long term as onetime funding is not guaranteed to carry over into the following fiscal year.
4:14:12
In addition to the $53,000,000 in baseline funding, we also ask for the full restoration of cultural initiatives from the council.
4:14:19
Thank you for your time and consideration.
