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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Valerie G. Lewis, Executive Director of Third Street Music School Settlement
5:41:16
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148 sec
Valerie G. Lewis, Executive Director of Third Street Music School Settlement, testified about the importance of arts education and the challenges faced by cultural organizations due to funding cuts. She advocated for increased funding for the Department of Cultural Affairs and support for music education initiatives.
- Third Street Music School Settlement serves over 6,000 students with music and dance instruction across 12 city council districts.
- The organization has faced a 50% cut in CDF funding over the last three years, threatening program sustainability.
- Lewis called for a $75 million baseline funding increase for DCLA and an increase to the CDF funding cap to provide stability for cultural organizations.
Valerie G. Lewis
5:41:16
Greetings and thank you committee chair Rivera and distinguished members of this committee.
5:41:21
My name is Valerie Lewis.
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I'm the executive director of third Street School Settlement, a 130 year old nonprofit community music school based in City Council District 2 with partnerships in 11 additional city council districts throughout all five boroughs.
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Founded in 1894, Third Street's mission is to ensure access to essential arts education for those who seek its enrichment.
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Today, we serve over 6,000 students with music and dance instruction.
5:41:49
And through the arts, we bring strength to individuals and we create vibrant communities.
5:41:54
There's an abundance of evidence demonstrating that participation in arts education programs can positively impact the trajectory of a student's life.
5:42:04
Students who engage in music instruction outperform non music students in assessments of math, reading, and second languages.
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K through 12 students who study the arts are more likely to earn a bachelor's degree and are prepared with the discipline, problem solving, and collaborative skills needed to succeed in adulthood.
5:42:22
Third Street and our peer organizations here today contribute immensely to the vitality of New York City.
5:42:27
However, funding shortfalls have threatened the sustainability of our programs out of New York City's unparalleled cultural sector.
5:42:34
Third Street CDF funding has been cut over 50% over the last three years introducing unprecedented challenges for the delivery of our mission.
5:42:43
Further cuts will force us to cut programs, reduce financial aid, and eliminate faculty positions thereby denying members of our community access to vital creative opportunities and endangering the livelihoods of dozens of teaching artists.
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We currently have 150 teaching artists at Third Street.
5:43:02
I join my colleagues here in advocating for a baseline funding increase of 75,000,000 for DCLA as well as an increase to the CDF funding cap which will provide stability for New York City cultural organizations.
5:43:17
Additionally, may I continue?
5:43:19
I implore the council to increase support for music education through a new music education initiative aimed at supporting school arts partners and integrating music instruction into youth programs.
5:43:30
I don't have to tell you, culture and art are critical to a vibrant New York City and I urge the city council to invest in arts and culture thereby investing in the well-being of all New Yorkers.
5:43:42
Thank you for this opportunity.