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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kate Madigan, Government Affairs Coordinator at the Public Theater
4:48:57
ยท
134 sec
Kate Madigan from the Public Theater advocated for baselining $75 million in the budget to fund DCLA and its recipients, emphasizing the crucial need for government support to ensure the survival of arts and culture organizations in New York City. She highlighted the financial challenges faced by the Public Theater and the broader performing arts sector, particularly in maintaining free and low-cost programming.
- The Public Theater spends over $8 million annually on free summer programming, including Shakespeare in the Park.
- The organization had to lay off 20% of full-time employees two years ago due to financial challenges.
- Without support, there's a risk of entertainment becoming completely privatized and inaccessible to millions of New Yorkers.
Kate Madigan
4:48:57
Good afternoon committee chair Rivera and staff.
4:49:00
My name is Kate Madigan, government affairs coordinator at the Public Theater.
4:49:04
I am here to advocate for the Public Theater's survival and for the council to stabilize the entire arts and culture sector by baselining $75,000,000 in the budget to properly fund DCLA and its CAG and CDF recipients.
4:49:19
This decision would help support the nonprofits that serve New Yorkers.
4:49:23
Thank you for this opportunity to speak.
4:49:25
With shifting federal policies, every cent from the New York City government is crucial to protecting nonprofit organizations.
4:49:32
This budget cycle, the Public Theater has made various discretionary and capital requests to the council to support our free programming and infrastructure.
4:49:41
Each free Shakespeare in the Park production at the Delacorte Theater costs the Public Theater approximately $3,500,000 to stage.
4:49:49
With a standard two show summer season and community pageant, the public spends over $8,000,000 producing free programming for the people of New York City each summer.
4:50:00
This iconic NYC summer tradition serves approximately a hundred thousand New Yorkers and visitors annually, all for free.
4:50:08
Sustaining this beloved summer programming as well as the public's free and low cost programming that takes place in its Astor Place Theaters has been a challenge, particularly after the pandemic.
4:50:20
Just two years ago, our organization had to lay off almost 20% of full time employees in order to address ongoing financial challenges created by inflation, divestment from the arts by private donors, foundations, and a reduction in audiences caused by the pandemic.
4:50:37
Despite these efforts to close the gap, we still face budget deficits which, left unaddressed, threatened to permanently close the public theater to New York and the world.
4:50:48
It is not only the public theater in a dire post pandemic financial crisis, the live performing arts sector is in need of permanent government investment to remain viable.
4:50:57
Without the public theater and other non profits ensuring free and low cost programming, entertainment will be completely privatized by greedy individuals and it's inaccessible to millions of New Yorkers.
4:51:11
Thank you.