QUESTION
What should the DCLA budget be if it kept pace with the overall city budget increases over time?
3:24:15
·
140 sec
Commissioner Cumbo states that while the DCLA baseline budget has not changed since 2009, additional funding at adoption has grown the cultural budget each year, making DCLA the largest cultural funder nationwide.
- She highlights the administration's commitment to arts and culture through this increased funding
- Council Member Rivera questions if DCLA's budget growth has truly kept pace with the overall city budget increases
- Cumbo notes the Council can expand initiatives like Casa Grants from $20,000 to $30,000 to further support cultural organizations
- Both acknowledge the need to address funding inequities beyond just the Casa program
Carlina Rivera
3:24:15
I just had a just one last question because we have many people waiting to testify, which I appreciate very, very much.
3:24:24
I'm happy to hear that you acknowledge the council's commitment and increase cultural funding over the years.
3:24:31
So you mentioned casas for example.
3:24:33
Mhmm.
3:24:33
But you know Yeah.
3:24:34
Probably better than anyone.
3:24:36
That causes are, like, $20,000 a a piece, right, for every group.
3:24:41
Which is significant and substantial for many groups.
Dennis Walcott
3:24:45
Mhmm.
Carlina Rivera
3:24:45
But the council cannot even meet the city halfway.
3:24:50
We have such a small fraction of funding, and we cannot like casa our way to equity when you have made so many cuts to these groups.
3:25:00
So I just asked because meanwhile, the baseline funding for cultural institutions has not changed since 2009 except for, I mean, this year's unprecedented cuts.
3:25:10
So looking at baseline funding over the past 10 or 15 years, we see that culture has actually not kept pace with the city budget.
3:25:19
Have you considered what the DCLA budget should be in action if it simply enjoyed the same increase as overall as the overall city budget over time,
Laurie Cumbo
3:25:32
I would say that to your question, the 2009 budget does not does not include, yes, you are right in terms of the baseline budget, but the additional funding that is added at adoption does continue to grow the cultural budget each year.
3:25:49
And over the last 2 fiscal years, those additional resources added that adoption have continued to expand the cultural budget, making us the largest cultural funder in the nation.
3:26:00
And that's no small feat in terms of demonstrating the amount of commitment that the administration has put forward as it pertains to art and culture.
3:26:09
And, yes, I do agree that we cannot casa our way out of the funding inequities that are seen But at the same time, on the council side, Casa Grants can grow from 20 to $30,000.
3:26:23
We can't make those decisions here on the administrative side.
3:26:27
The council would have to look at their priorities and to see is expanding art and culture on their side, something that they would like to prioritize.
