Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ryan Gilliam, Executive Director of Fourth Arts Block
4:51:20
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Ryan Gilliam, Executive Director of Fourth Arts Block, testifies on the importance of increasing funding for arts and culture in New York City. She emphasizes the critical role of artists and cultural workers in addressing societal challenges and supporting communities during difficult times.
- Gilliam argues for the proposed $75 million increase in funding for cultural affairs
- She highlights the current political climate and its impact on various communities in NYC
- Gilliam stresses the historical and ongoing importance of artists in creating solidarity, amplifying experiences, and providing spaces for reflection and healing
Ryan Gilliam
4:51:20
I'm good?
4:51:21
Yeah.
4:51:22
Hi, Chair Rivera.
4:51:24
I'm Ryan Gillum of Fourth Arts Block.
4:51:26
I'm an artist and organizer working in the Lower East Side.
4:51:30
I just want to say that my colleagues have been incredibly eloquent with many arguments here for the increased 75,000,000.
4:51:38
I'm going to just add another argument to all of that, but coming from my work as an artist.
4:51:47
The world is rarely what we would like it to be, but I think I share with many people in this room the conviction that the world became significantly more dangerous and totalitarian in January 2025.
4:52:02
We're in a culture war where hostilities towards the people of this city are led by our own government, Our immigrant communities, our trans communities, our students, our institutions of learning, our scientists, our environmentalists are under attack.
4:52:19
We have had the city's bank accounts raided and the city's independence undermined.
4:52:25
We've been informed that efforts to address historical injustice will earn us punishment and retaliation, and we're only at the beginning.
4:52:35
For New York to stand strong, for us to actually be a sanctuary city, we need all our allies.
4:52:44
Artists and cultural workers have long histories of standing in solidarity with communities, of creating the stories, the iconography, the photos and the poetry that amplify our experiences, of creating the banners, the street theater, the music and the spectacle that focus direct action, of creating circles for art making, writing, listening and sharing, places of reflection and healing, of creating sanctuary spaces, organizing spaces, spaces for dialogue and learning, of creating the murals that voice our grief, the dances that keep us sassy, the films that break our hearts open, the songs that call us closer, the comedy that restores our lightness, the celebrations that help us remember why we're fighting.
4:53:35
Artists are critical allies in the times we're facing, and this is a moment not to weaken arts and culture but to strengthen it.