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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jessica Jackson, Director of School Programs and Education at Bronx Children's Museum
6:08:31
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134 sec
Jessica Jackson from the Bronx Children's Museum testifies about the museum's impact on children in the Bronx and the need for increased funding to continue and expand their programs. She urges the city to baseline $75 million for culture to support institutions like theirs.
- The museum served 50,000 children and families in 2024, featuring 79 artists and authors, and distributing over 5,000 free books.
- They provide crucial early learning experiences, sensory-inclusive programming, and teacher training in a historically underfunded borough.
- Without stable funding, the museum's ability to meet growing demand and expand necessary programs is in jeopardy.
Jessica Jackson
6:08:31
Good afternoon, committee members.
6:08:33
My name is Jessica Jackson and I'm the director of school programs and education at the Bronx Children's Museum.
6:08:38
Imagine a child walking into a museum for the first time eyes wide, hands reaching out, a world of possibility.
6:08:45
That's what happens every day at the Bronx Children's Museum.
6:08:48
For many children in The Bronx, we are their first museum, their first exposure to the arts, their first book in their hands, and their first time seeing themselves reflected in the stories we tell.
6:08:58
Since opening our building two years ago, after more than a decade of outreach, the Bronx Children's Museum has become a lifeline for families.
6:09:06
We serve one of the most culturally rich yet historically underfunded boroughs in New York City.
6:09:11
In 2024 alone, we welcomed 50,000 children and families.
6:09:15
We featured 79 artists and authors, many from the Bronx, giving the kids the chance to see themselves in creative spaces.
6:09:23
We hosted field trips despite major barriers to arts access in New York schools.
6:09:28
We distributed over 5,000 free books in a borough where there was only one book for every 259 children.
6:09:35
We trained teachers equipping them with tools to bring creativity into the classroom because when arts programs are cut, it's children in The Bronx who suffer the most.
6:09:43
We provided sensory days for neurodiverse children and their families ensuring all kids have a space where they feel safe, welcome, and celebrated.
6:09:51
But now our ability to serve children is in jeopardy.
6:09:54
The Bronx has one of the lowest preschool enrollment rates in New York City.
6:09:58
Research shows that children who don't attend preschool are twenty five percent more likely to drop out of high school.
6:10:04
Families rely on us as an early learning space, yet we don't have the funding to meet the overwhelming demand.
6:10:11
Sensory inclusive programming is underfunded and families ask us for more sensory days, but without stable funding we can expand the programs neurodiverse children desperately need.
6:10:21
As one visitor passionately wrote, I have so much pride in this museum.
6:10:25
Let's take care of it.
6:10:27
Lakes makes sure it continues to provide hours and hours of learning opportunity and safe fun for Bronx kids for years to come.
6:10:34
But we can't do this alone and that's why we urge the city to baseline $75,000,000 to culture.
6:10:39
The children of the Bronx deserve more, not less.
6:10:42
On behalf of the museum and the children of the Bronx, we thank you.