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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Judith Insell, Executive Director of Bronx Arts Ensemble
4:43:12
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3 min
Judith Insell, Executive Director of Bronx Arts Ensemble, testified about the organization's funding challenges and the need for increased support for the arts and culture sector in New York City. She emphasized the economic impact of the cultural sector and called for a baseline allocation of $75 million for arts and culture in the FY2026 budget.
- Bronx Arts Ensemble was initially zeroed out of DCLA Cultural Development Fund in FY2024, causing significant budget issues
- Funding was restored for FY2025 but at 50% less than previous years
- Insell urged for a $75 million baseline allocation to arts and culture, working towards a 1% allocation in the future
- She highlighted the threat of federal funding cuts and the need for increased local government support
Judith Insell
4:43:12
Judith?
4:43:13
Okay, great, thank you.
4:43:16
Good afternoon, Chair Rivera and committee members.
4:43:19
My name is Judith Ensell, and I'm the Executive Director of the Bronx Arts Ensemble, a fifty three year old organization that annually provides over 2,000 residents of the Bronx with free of charge live performances presented by professional musicians employing local eight zero two members, which of I am one, in multiple music genres like classical music, Latin jazz, and global music.
4:43:49
Some of you may remember me from my multiple testimonies last year.
4:43:54
In fiscal twenty twenty four, Bronx Arts Ensemble, for the first time in over forty years, was zeroed out of critical funding from the Department of Cultural Affairs Cultural Development Fund.
4:44:06
Receiving this news eight months into the fiscal year triggered a tremendous deficit for our organization.
4:44:16
Our budget resulting in the loss of employment opportunities during the spring of twenty twenty four for Bronx based musicians and the canceling of scheduled live performances for Bronx neighborhoods.
4:44:30
I am pleased to announce that the Bronx Arts Ensemble has had funding from the Cultural Development Fund restored for fiscal year twenty twenty five, but at 50% less than what our organization has received in the past.
4:44:46
So our struggle to serve the communities of The Bronx continues.
4:44:51
For reasons beyond my comprehension, New York City's current budget has decreased the funds allocated for the arts and culture sector from point 25% to point 21.
4:45:03
Given that our sector generates a hundred and $10,000,000,000 in economic impact for New York City, why would the city government lessen its investment in arts and culture?
4:45:15
For this reason, for this fiscal year, for fiscal year twenty twenty six, there must be a commitment to make a solid investment in our sector by providing a baseline allocation of 75,000,000 to arts and culture, working towards bringing the sector to a 1% allocation in the near future.
4:45:37
I urge the mayor and the city council to approach this upcoming funding cycle and beyond with the understanding that cultural sector of New York City is an industry that drives the economic engine of business and supports the building of communities by providing safe spaces for citizens to come together in the Bronx and all boroughs.
4:45:59
The current federal government has set in motion a new crisis for all nonprofit arts institutions in New York City.
4:46:07
Now more than ever, a hundred and eight 1,800 plus institutions need our local government to support us with as much funding as possible.
4:46:19
Without sufficient city government support, there will be an overall negative effect to the city's economy.
4:46:27
The Bronx Arts Ensemble urges you to remember one thing when it's tackling the FY '26 cultural budget.
4:46:34
Allocating a $75,000,000 baseline for non profit arts institutions is essential for the survival of New York City.
4:46:44
Thank you very much for your time.