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TESTIMONY
Kate Madigan, Government Affairs Coordinator for the Public Theater, on the Financial Challenges Facing Cultural Institutions and the Need for Increased City Support
4:40:17
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Kate Madigan testifies about the financial struggles cultural institutions like the Public Theater are facing due to inflation and lingering pandemic effects.
- She calls for restoring $75.6 million in funding for cultural institutions in the city's FY2025 budget.
- Without increased funding, the Public Theater has had to reduce its number of productions next season.
- Madigan warns that neglecting the nonprofit arts sector could lead to a less equitable, diverse, and accessible cultural landscape dominated by commercial enterprises.
Kate Madigan
4:40:17
Good afternoon, Chair of Brandon and Chair of Vera.
4:40:20
Present council members and staff.
4:40:22
My name is Kate Madigan, the government affairs coordinator for the public theater located in Aster Place.
4:40:28
The CAG's hope the budget for fiscal year 2025 will fully address our ever growing financial and bring recognition to our essential programming that makes NYC the best city in the world.
4:40:41
While it is very encouraging and appreciated to hear verbal support from our allies, we do require fiscal act action on the city's part.
4:40:49
I am disappointed to share that CIGs and city of Salike feel that work is not supported and has been taken for granted by the city of New York.
4:40:59
Cultural institution groups consistently show up for New Yorkers from every borough and every life experience and deliver an outsized economic impact for the city.
4:41:08
And yet, the baseline budget is stagnant, we truly hope to see the council's call for the restoration of the $75,600,000 to cultural institutions come to fruition.
4:41:19
Due to inflation and the residual effects of the pandemic, the public theater has been forced to make difficult decisions about how to put our FY 25 season in a way that maintains excellence and financial sustainability.
4:41:31
This is reflected in the reduced number of productions we cannot we can put on next season.
4:41:36
Reducing the number of production not only harms the public, but the overall economy of the city and the livelihood of thousands of New Yorkers.
4:41:44
As an example, the public theater originated 2 shows currently running on Broadway, Softs And Hills Kitchen.
4:41:49
I'm sure you can realize the economic impact these Broadway now Broadway shows from the public have on Midtown and the city overall.
4:41:58
Without fiscal action, namely permanent government investment, The nonprofit component component of the city's arts and culture industry will continue to struggle and may eventually fail resulting in an arts and culture landscape less equitable, diverse, and accessible.
4:42:13
Should we let this version of the future come to pass art, culture, and entertainment will become solely a commercial enterprise rather than a public good.
4:42:22
Thank you for your time and attention.
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Melody Capote, Executive Director of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, on Inequities in City Funding for Arts and Cultural Organizations Serving Communities of Color
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Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director of the New York City Arts And Education Roundtable on the Importance of Arts Education and Funding for Cultural Organizations Partnering with NYC Schools