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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sophia Harrison, Executive Director of Art's House Schools of Music, Dance & Fine Arts
6:15:50
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135 sec
Sophia Harrison, Executive Director of Art's House Schools of Music, Dance & Fine Arts, testified about the importance of arts and culture in the Coney Island community and requested an increase in the baseline budget for the Department of Cultural Affairs by $75 million. She emphasized the need for continued support to maintain and expand arts programs, especially after challenges like Superstorm Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Art's House Schools is the only cultural institution in Coney Island, serving children and senior citizens year-round
- The organization has worked with local council members for 19 years to provide arts exposure and experiences
- Harrison stressed that increasing the budget would stabilize the arts sector and benefit the city in the long term
Sophia Harrison
6:15:50
Good afternoon, chair Rivera, esteemed council members, my colleagues, and all other presidents.
6:15:55
I am Sofia Harrison, the founder and executive director of Arts House Schools of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts.
6:16:01
As the only cultural institution in Coney Island, Brooklyn serving art istic and cultural needs of children and senior citizens year round.
6:16:08
Arts House Schools believes it is our responsibility to engage both youth and seniors in meaningful activities.
6:16:15
We immerse ourselves in community life, maintaining a presence at school and street fairs, community meeting events, and participating in cultural and artistic celebrations.
6:16:24
These activities effectively communicate beauty, foster an appreciation for diversity, and help create lives filled with meaning and purpose.
6:16:32
Our approach inspires the belief that the entire community benefits when the arts are woven into the fabric of our society.
6:16:39
For the past nineteen years, Arts House Schools has worked hand in hand with our local council members to provide our community with exposure and experience in the arts.
6:16:48
Our council members have supported the arts as a means of recovery after Superstorm Sandy and the COVID nineteen pandemic, particularly for senior citizens, community centers, and public schools.
6:17:00
They have also provided funding for scholarships and free programs during after school and out of school times.
6:17:06
They have remained committed to ensuring that every member of their district leads a well rounded life, always including the arts.
6:17:14
I joined my colleagues in requesting an increase in the baseline budget for the Department of Cultural Affairs by $75,000,000.
6:17:21
We can no longer afford to be starving artists.
6:17:24
The cost of living is rising from rent to eggs to health care.
6:17:28
Increasing the budget will not only stabilize our sector, but also benefit the city both this year and in the years to come.
6:17:35
Without the council's continued support and fight for arts and culture and a commitment to the well-being of the entire person, the ins the ins the essential work of more than a thousand nonprofit organizations and independent artists in New York City will not be possible.
6:17:51
We, as vital organizations and workers, provide
UNKNOWN
6:17:54
time's expired.
6:17:55
Thank you.
Sophia Harrison
6:17:57
And city of whether we are employees, students, or attendees with enriching, well rounding lives experiences today, tomorrow, and in the future.
6:18:05
Thank you.