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Q&A
DCLA's approach to supporting Cultural Institutions Group members facing financial challenges
3:13:08
ยท
4 min
Council Member Rivera asks about DCLA's plans to support Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) members facing financial uncertainties, particularly in avoiding service reductions or staff layoffs. Commissioner Cumbo outlines DCLA's approach to addressing these challenges.
- DCLA is engaging in conversations with labor unions, institution executives, and the city council
- The administration aims to bring different members of the cultural portfolio together for collaborative planning
- DCLA is working to break down silos between different funding sources (foundations, corporations, government, individuals)
- The agency is using its platform to raise awareness about the systemic challenges facing the arts and culture community
Carlina Rivera
3:13:08
Yes.
3:13:08
So so thank you for that.
3:13:10
And just to wrap it up, So you know the SIGs that a lot of them are facing these uncertain futures.
3:13:21
You mentioned the reality of Brooklyn Museum and there are others that have gone through it already.
3:13:27
And I know no one no one wants to lay off an employee.
Laurie Cumbo
3:13:30
That's right.
Carlina Rivera
3:13:31
It's like as a as a boss, as a director, as a person.
Laurie Cumbo
3:13:35
Right.
Carlina Rivera
3:13:36
It's the last thing you want to do is to take that away from someone.
3:13:41
So how can DCLA support the institutions to assure that they don't have to reduce services or let go of staff and what type of non monetary support can DCLA provide to struggling organizations?
Laurie Cumbo
3:13:59
We thank you so much for the question.
3:14:03
On so many levels we have began the conversations with our labor unions.
3:14:08
We are having conversations with the executive directors of the institutions, working with you and the city council.
3:14:16
But as far as the administration goes on so many levels, and I know you said not only monetarily, but I think the most powerful thing that we can do is to bring the different members of the cultural portfolio together to be able to discuss how we're gonna move forward collaboratively.
3:14:35
This administration has demonstrated its commitment to arts and culture year after year, but we need to be able to work together.
3:14:44
Because traditionally what happens is, cultures go to their foundations.
3:14:47
They go to their corporations.
3:14:49
They go to government.
3:14:50
They go to individuals, as well as earned income measures in order to bring funding together.
3:14:56
And they have those conversations separate and apart in their own silos.
3:15:00
What we're trying to do in this administration is to bring those silos together in conversation with us, so that we can collaboratively plan and for them to understand how the decisions that they're making are impacting the field as a whole.
3:15:15
So I would say our most powerful tool is to be able to convene and bring together the many different partners that support the cultural sector and continue to work with the city council, but also to work with our labor unions in a very meaningful way that we haven't seen in previous years to make sure that we are in full support and collaboration of our institutions.
Lance Polivy
3:15:40
It's also to use the bully pulpit.
3:15:42
I mean that's why we're here today and we're sharing so clearly what we're hearing from our constituents is so that other people know they're not alone.
3:15:50
It's not just one organization, it's not just two, it is so much of the New York City arts and culture community that's being impacted by these set of systemic challenges that they're facing right now.
3:16:01
And so you've been shining a light on that, we're shining a light on that, and I think it helps organizations to know that there's power in numbers and that we are going to be committed to solving these problems collaboratively.
Carlina Rivera
3:16:15
And that's why I also appreciate your testimony because there are a lot of challenges that we have that we're gonna tackle together.
Jenny Dembrow
3:16:24
Certainly.
Carlina Rivera
3:16:25
But you always mention the bright spots, The celebrations and, you know, the block parties, all of that.
3:16:32
I think they're such great moments because, you know, joy is important.
3:16:36
So I hope to see you at something joyful very very soon.
3:16:42
Not that this isn't great but always love seeing you out there because like you really are such a champion and a cheerleader And you know, in terms of accountability and transparency, that's something we're always going to work on together certainly going to hold each other accountable.
3:16:59
So I appreciate your partnership.
3:17:01
I don't have any more questions And I just want to thank you and I hope you have a great day.
Laurie Cumbo
3:17:06
Thank you.
Lucy Sexton
3:17:06
I want
Laurie Cumbo
3:17:07
to thank you for hosting this hearing.
3:17:08
Thank you for your partnership.
3:17:10
And we are going to continue to work together to create some unprecedented opportunities for arts and culture moving forward.
3:17:18
So thank you so much council member Rivera.
Carlina Rivera
3:17:20
Thank you.