Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
Introduction and overview of the DCLA's executive budget proposal
2:04:38
·
160 sec
Commissioner Laurie Cumbo introduces the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs' fiscal year 2026 executive budget proposal, highlighting its historic size and components.
- Total budget of $214.7 million, a 42% increase from the previous year
- Breakdown of allocations for various cultural programs and institutions
- Emphasis on this being the 'best budget ever' for DCLA
Lauri Cumbo
2:04:38
Good afternoon Chair Rivera, Chair Brannan and members of the committees.
2:04:42
I am Lori Cumbo, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
2:04:46
I am here today to testify in regards to the best budget ever, also known as the Mayor's fiscal year twenty six executive budget proposal.
2:04:55
Come on, this is the best budget ever.
2:04:57
I am joined today by a number of my colleagues from the agency.
2:05:01
I will begin today with a quick look at the amazing numbers in the mayor's fiscal year twenty six executive budget for DCLA.
2:05:08
It includes $52,000,000 for the Cultural Development Fund, one hundred and one million for operating support for cultural institutions on city owned property, 52,300,000.0 for energy subsidies to groups on city owned property, 8,200,000.0 for agency staff and operations, and 1,700,000.0 for create NYC and other agency initiatives.
2:05:34
If you don't have your calculator handy, that amounts to a grand total of $214,700,000 for DCLA in the fiscal year twenty six executive budget.
2:05:46
And this biggest news of all, it includes $45,000,000 in baseline funding for DCLA.
2:05:54
Twenty one point five million for the cultural institution groups and 23,500,000.0 for the cultural development fund.
2:06:01
This is the first time that the agency's baseline has been significantly increased in more than a decade.
2:06:08
This reflects a major long term commitment to support our city's cultural community and a recognition of culture's essential role in making our city thrive, particularly at a time when our cultural community is facing so many urgent challenges.
2:06:23
I'm proud to be serving as commissioner during the administration that has prioritized this historic commitment to our arts and culture community.
2:06:32
At nearly $215,000,000, this is the largest amount included for DCLA in an executive budget proposal in herstory.
2:06:42
By comparison, the executive budget at the same point in last year's budget process was a hundred and 50 1 million.
2:06:50
Meaning this year's executive budget is a 42% increase over last year's.
2:06:57
And as always, this figure does not include any funding that is typically added at adoption such as city council initiatives or member items.
2:07:07
Starting from such a strong position, we look forward to working toward an adopted budget that continues to invest in and support our vibrant cultural sector at record levels.