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Addressing disparities in arts education access across NYC boroughs

1:20:13

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6 min

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Council Member Rivera discusses disparities in arts education access across NYC boroughs, citing data from the Independent Budget Office. She questions DCLA representatives about factors contributing to these differences and efforts to ensure equitable distribution of programs.

Data shows significant differences in school partnerships with CDF grantees across boroughs (e.g., 90% in Manhattan vs. 56% in Queens)
DCLA acknowledges multiple factors may contribute to these disparities
The department is working to analyze data and address gaps in partnership with various stakeholders
DCLA is encouraging organizations from outer boroughs to apply for CDF grants
The department is partnering with the city council to improve outreach and recruitment for CDF panelists

Carlina Rivera

1:20:13

Right.

1:20:13

I know we're working on how to ensure we don't overly burden any organization with additional administrative responsibilities.

1:20:22

They work so hard to put together these important reports.

1:20:27

You know our goal here really is the equity piece.

1:20:30

I know it's a word that we use quite a bit.

1:20:33

It's really important and I think the messaging that we all recognize that all boroughs are not equal right now, and there is real data that proves that.

1:20:46

Many of the people in this room, including the people at the dais, you all are so committed to this work, you realize that you can walk into a Manhattan school, likely or see more arts taking place than maybe in certain parts of Queens, The Bronx or Brooklyn or even Staten Island.

1:21:02

The independent budget office is testify later in this hearing.

1:21:07

The written testimony they released publicly this morning show that 90% of Manhattan public schools worked with a CDF grantee in fiscal year twenty two, and we're looking forward to more data from your agency so we can have even more updated numbers, but only 56% of Queen's schools and 66% of Staten Island schools did.

1:21:29

What do you think contributed to these considerable differences across the boroughs?

Audrey St. Clair

1:21:36

That could be for a myriad of factors and reasons, and so I think it's important for us to continue to analyze the data and under understand specifically what the contributing factors are to those outcomes, and being really intentional in partnership with the arts and culture sector, with the DOE, with city council in order to address those gaps as quickly and as soundly as possible.

Carlina Rivera

1:22:09

And we've heard in in DCLA's past hearings your testimony that the one way to increase the number of CDF grantees from outside of Manhattan is to encourage organizations in the outer boroughs to apply for CDF grants, but we also know that where organizations are based is different from where programs occur.

1:22:29

I understand you do collect program location data from CDF grantees.

1:22:35

Do you know the percentage of CDF programs that actually take place in each of the boroughs?

Audrey St. Clair

1:22:42

So thank you for that question.

1:22:44

That is a data point that I don't have directly with me, but I'm happy to follow-up with the team and get back to you as soon as I have more information.

Carlina Rivera

1:22:54

So we'd love to work on that and hopefully have annual reporting.

1:22:59

We think that that's a really really important piece in figuring out programs that are actually taking place in the schools.

1:23:07

And given that most CDF awards go to organizations located in Manhattan by number of awards and amount awarded, what are you doing to ensure that the programs are equitably distributed?

1:23:20

You have the reporting, you're encouraging organizations from outside of Manhattan to apply.

1:23:27

What else are we doing to make sure that there's equitable distribution across the boroughs?

Lance Polivy

1:23:34

One of the things that we're doing is we're partnering closely with the council this year.

1:23:38

Our team has put together a package of materials that can go on social media, that can go out in your email blasts, and it was distributed to CED and to your office and all the council members so that they have this package of tools to reach out to groups and constituents to make sure that they know that the application is live, something that we spoke to you about during our last hearing that we were targeting by the March, and we're thrilled to share with you today that the application went live on March 31, putting us well ahead of pace from last year.

Carlina Rivera

1:24:13

And we would be thrilled to to help with that.

1:24:16

I mean, we we would love to use whatever resources we have in our platforms to reach as many individuals as possible.

1:24:23

I'd say this room is a pretty good place to start.

1:24:26

IBO's written testimony also mentions that the dataset of CDF locations provided to them does not include any measure of the depth of engagement at each location.

1:24:36

So for example, how many hours of arts engagement took place at the location over the year.

1:24:42

Is that something that DCLA tracks?

Lance Polivy

1:24:46

Do think I think just as you mentioned in your earlier question, council member Rivera, we're always trying to balance the benefit of additional data with the additional burden placed on our grantees, and we're happy to continue to think about what data we're receiving in our final reports from CDF grantees, and happy to connect with you and your office to make sure that we're getting that balance just right.

Carlina Rivera

1:25:11

So what have been some of your, I guess, challenges?

1:25:15

Is there something the city council can do to help your agencies meet those challenges and and even reach some of the goals that you've set for future fiscal years?

Audrey St. Clair

1:25:26

So we are actually really excited to partner with you to recruit panelists for the FY twenty six CDF application, is currently live.

1:25:36

We do know that last year we were fortunate to have the support of the council serving as panelists, but that is definitely a way that we wanna continue our partnership in order to ensure that all voices are at the table and have an influence on the overall outcomes of the awards.

Carlina Rivera

1:25:55

Well, thank you.

1:25:56

And I know we're also working on the timeline of our panels to ensure that we're really really aligning with the fiscal year so that people can make sure that they can plan their year with enough time and of course that they get their money as soon as possible.

1:26:12

I want to thank you for your answers, for your partnership.

1:26:16

I know we're going to go back to the chair and of course to my colleagues with questions.

Rita Joseph

1:26:20

Thank you, Chair Rivera.

1:26:21

Before we move forward, I'd like to acknowledge Cornelia Connelly Center.

1:26:26

Where are you?

1:26:26

I'm here.

1:26:28

You

Dr. Jacqueline Cofield

1:26:28

here?

1:26:29

Hi.

Rita Joseph

1:26:30

Welcome to City Hall.

Sharon Brown

1:26:32

Yay.

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Ensuring equitable access to arts education and tracking program success

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Council Member Joseph presses for improved timelines in arts education programming