Q&A
Apprenticeships and funding in the cultural sector
0:30:40
ยท
3 min
Council Member Rivera inquires about apprenticeships in the cultural sector and how organizations can access funding to enhance these programs. Commissioner Cumbo and General Counsel Polivy discuss current initiatives and partnerships.
- The goal of creating 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030 is mentioned
- Cumbo emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships in funding these programs
- Polivy highlights collaborations with other city agencies for workforce development in the arts
Carlina Rivera
0:30:40
And, obviously, it's it's just an idea, like, in in terms of of how we're getting people the comprehensive support that they need, like, financially and, you know, finding the affordable spaces.
0:30:52
I mean, let's put housing aside just for a second.
0:30:54
I mean, these are affordable spaces for rehearsal, to create.
0:30:58
Those are very few and and and far between.
0:31:01
I also wanna recognize, council members Osei, Hanif, and Ong.
0:31:04
Thank you.
0:31:05
Mhmm.
0:31:06
So I think the apprenticeships, that's that's a great pathway Mhmm.
0:31:11
To to placement, to success, to a career rather than a job.
0:31:16
And so there is the goal of creating 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030.
0:31:21
You mentioned the Roundabout Theatre, which is doing fantastic work.
0:31:24
How can cultural institutions, SIGs, and and artist nonprofits access this funding so they can enhance their apprenticeships programs?
Laurie Cumbo
0:31:35
How can they enhance the programs?
Carlina Rivera
0:31:39
And access the funding too.
0:31:40
Like, what are ways that they could actually access this funding to create apprenticeships?
0:31:43
Because it's one thing to say you wanna create them.
0:31:45
You need the funding.
0:31:46
You need some expertise and guidance, and you also wanna make sure that that pathway is laid out fairly clearly.
0:31:52
The unions have done this for many, many years over time, and I know they're also trying to diversify where apprenticeships are.
0:32:00
Not just write painters.
UNKNOWN
0:32:01
Right.
Carlina Rivera
0:32:02
They wanna do it across union work as well.
0:32:05
So what are ways that they can access the funding and then also enhance their apprenticeship programs?
Laurie Cumbo
0:32:10
Well, I'm gonna let my general counsel also weigh in on this.
0:32:13
But one of the things that is critical for each of these programs, these are public private partnerships.
0:32:20
And so, the city provides deep investment.
0:32:23
And what we need to see is also more partnership with our, private sector as well.
0:32:30
So, the private sector contributes, we contribute, and we're able to do programs such as that.
0:32:35
In the situation of CUNY Cultural Corps, that's a great example of a public private partnership between, private investment, CUNY's investment, city council, mayor's office, our administration.
0:32:49
We've been able to partner on that program and that's really a great example of how we're able to provide paid opportunities for young people to participate in these programs.
0:33:00
And we have to do more in terms of, showing the data as you suggested about how effective these programs and then presenting that to more of our private sponsors to say or partners, this is really great work.
0:33:14
It's leading the industry in this way, and we need you to participate in this way.
0:33:19
And I'll turn it over to Lance.
Lance Polivy
0:33:21
I just also wanted to add that we feel so lucky at the city's Department of Cultural Affairs to have the opportunity to partner with other city agencies, SBS, the mayor's office of talent, MOM, EDC, and so many others that have workforce development programs with careers in the arts, and combined all working together, I think that's how we'll achieve the best results.