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DCLA initiatives to support underserved communities and organizations
2:25:55
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118 sec
Commissioner Laurie Cumbo outlines several initiatives by the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) to support underserved communities and cultural organizations in New York City.
- Reintroduction of the Language Access Fund, supporting 64 organizations
- Reinstatement of the Disability Forward Fund, supporting 42 organizations
- Introduction of the Equity Fund, providing $2 million to 264 organizations in underserved areas
- Administration of the Cultural Immigration Fund to support immigrant communities
- Emphasis on increased support for these programs to bolster support for immigrants during challenging times
Laurie Cumbo
2:25:55
Culture is such an important aspect of the fiber of New York City on so many levels.
2:26:02
And so, not only symbolically, but also economically, we have taken steps to demonstrate how profoundly we believe deeply in the power of the arts.
2:26:13
And that's part of the reason why it was critical for us to bring back the language access fund, which is going to provide that type of programming for organizations.
2:26:23
That's 64 organizations that did not receive that funding last year that we've doubled down on to make sure that language access is a part of their bottom line for their organization.
2:26:34
We brought back the Disability Forward Fund, which is supporting 42 organizations that are addressing the needs of our disabled community.
2:26:42
But also this year for the first time, we're really very proud that we were able to introduce the Equity Fund, which is providing 264 organizations located in underserved areas of New York City with a total of $2,000,000 in addition to their CDF awards.
2:27:01
This was funding that was not provided in previous years.
2:27:05
We wanted to make sure that those organizations that are providing services in the most low income communities in New York City, that we are doubling down on greater investment in those neighborhoods and communities.
2:27:19
And we are proud to administer the Cultural Immigration Fund that I was proud to work with my colleagues when I was on that side of the table to administer the Immigration Fund.
2:27:31
And we want to make sure that we double down on those programs.
2:27:35
Increased levels of support for the Cultural Immigration Fund would certainly help us to bolster our support for our immigrants in this really challenging time, lifting them up and making sure that they know that this city invests in those institutions and we make it a priority.