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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Nicole Touzien, Executive Director of Dancewave
6:10:50
ยท
140 sec
Nicole Touzien, Executive Director of Dancewave, testified about the impact of city investment in arts and culture through her organization. She highlighted Dancewave's programs, community impact, and fiscal responsibility, emphasizing the need for increased baseline funding for arts and culture in NYC.
- Dancewave serves 6,200 people directly each year and reaches 24,000 through digital engagement
- The organization provided free dance programming to 5,000 New Yorkers across all five boroughs in 2024
- Touzien requested a $75 million increase in baseline arts and culture funding for FY 2026
Nicole Touzien
6:10:50
Good afternoon Chair Rivera, staff and members of the committee and thank you very much for the opportunity to provide testimony on behalf of Dance Wave where I serve as executive director.
6:11:00
I'll use my time to illustrate the impact that the city's investment in arts and culture has through Dance Wave, a twenty nine year old organization providing inclusive and empowering dance education in New York City.
6:11:13
Dancewave is a fiscally responsible and values led organization investing nearly $1,000,000 each year compensating artists and arts workers who contribute to and stimulate our local economy.
6:11:27
With the city's support, we provide direct services to an all ages audience of 6,200 people each year and connect with upwards of 24,000 people via digital engagement efforts.
6:11:39
In 2024 alone, we engaged 5,000 New Yorkers with free dance programming across all five boroughs.
6:11:47
Provided 800 early and mid career artists with access to subsidized rehearsal space.
6:11:52
Connected 500 young artists with year round free and low cost performance training with renowned choreographers.
6:12:00
Facilitated 400 high schoolers transitions into higher education and careers in the arts, and empowered 88 artists as entrepreneurs who earn an average of $1,800 a month through innovative resource sharing model.
6:12:15
While data illustrates Dancewave's community impact, I'll quickly share a few words of artist, Theann Welsh.
6:12:22
As someone who believes that arts experiences should be accessible to all people, I want organizations like Dance Wave to be able to thrive.
6:12:30
Dance Wave's programs empower people who may not otherwise have equitable access to resources or opportunity.
6:12:36
Thien and many others know that Dance Wave steadfastly serves and delivers for the people of New York.
6:12:42
We go above and beyond filling persistent gaps in city services and our work is made possible by and can only continue with increased investment from the city.
6:12:53
I joined my colleagues in asking for the committee's full support in advocating for increase in baseline arts and culture funding in the amount of $75,000,000 for f y twenty six.
6:13:02
There's new there's no New York City without arts and culture and the city must invest in the organizations that make arts and culture possible.
6:13:09
Thank you so much.