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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Scott Elliott, Founder/Director of The New Group, on the importance of preserving historic spaces for arts and culture in NYC
1:41:24
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143 sec
Scott Elliott, founder of The New Group theater company, testifies on the importance of preserving historic spaces for arts and culture in New York City. He emphasizes how these spaces are crucial for artists and contribute to the city's character and vibrancy.
- Elliott shares his 30-year experience in the theater industry, highlighting the challenges of finding and maintaining affordable spaces for artistic work.
- He argues that while progress and development are important, preserving landmarks and spaces with character is essential for nurturing artists and maintaining New York's status as a hub for the arts.
- Elliott stresses that the preservation of historic spaces is not just about nostalgia, but about providing opportunities for artists to create and thrive in the city.
Scott Elliott
1:41:24
Matt.
1:41:24
Hi.
1:41:25
Hello.
1:41:25
I am Scott Elliott.
1:41:27
I I run a nonprofit theater company in New York City called The New Group.
1:41:33
I founded it thirty years ago, still thriving in spite of all the challenges that the arts face in New York City at the moment.
1:41:42
You know, when I first started thirty years ago, you know, I made a decision to not build a building or build a monument to my company, but to occupy spaces around the city and bring communities together, you know, through the work that we do.
1:41:57
And, you know, I've seen over the thirty years, you know, first one I was in, we got kicked out because it got knocked down.
1:42:02
The next one we were in, we got kicked out because it got knocked down.
1:42:05
It's been sort of a a series of events.
1:42:07
Now, developers have come in and have built theaters, newer theaters in their buildings.
1:42:14
You know, we occupy them, but they lack a lot of character and things that have really brought artists to New York which is sort of, you know, the hub of for artists and places like the church, other places around provide opportunities for us that are a little less expensive or a lot less expensive for people to be able to actually make work.
1:42:39
And we all know how important arts are for New York City if the arts went away.
1:42:42
If the artists moved away, it wouldn't be a good thing.
1:42:47
And, you know, you know, we all came here because I mean, I personally live in a modern building.
1:42:54
Right?
1:42:55
And I my partner's a real estate broker and, you know, Charles Renfro, the world renowned architect, sits on my board of directors.
1:43:01
So, I'm not against progress.
1:43:03
That's not what I'm talking about.
1:43:05
What I'm talking about is we have to preserve for the artists in New York places like this.
1:43:11
Of course, I could speak for communities in general, but because I'm arts focused, I'm speaking, you know, for arts and how arts intersects with community, but the landmarks that are are up are they feed us.
1:43:23
They feed artists' souls and artists' souls fill this feed this city.
1:43:28
So, I encourage you to, you know, help us preserve progress, yes, but also preservation of character so that artists continue to come here and the city the city can thrive because of that.
1:43:44
Okay.
1:43:44
I'll stop before my buzzer.