Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Francine Garber-Cohen, President and Producer of Regina Opera Company
4:24:42
·
127 sec
Francine Garber-Cohen, representing Regina Opera Company, testified about the importance of arts funding for community well-being and economic impact. She thanked the council for the proposed $45 million baseline increase but requested an additional $30 million to offset federal funding cuts.
- Regina Opera has provided opera performances and concerts in Southwest Brooklyn for 55 years, serving thousands of residents, particularly seniors
- Arts organizations like Regina Opera help combat loneliness and isolation among older adults
- Increased funding is described as "high velocity dollars" that directly benefit local economies through spending by arts workers
Francine Garber-Cohen
4:24:42
Good afternoon council members.
4:24:45
My name is Francine Garber Cohen, president and producer of Regina Opera Company which has offered year round fully staged operas and ticketed and free concerts in Southwest Brooklyn for fifty five years including thirteen years in Sunset Park and also performing in Bay Ridge.
4:25:09
All of these at these performances, thousands of Brooklyn residents over two thirds of whom are senior citizens, many of them retirees on fixed incomes, they are able to meet other music lovers getting them out of their homes where many live alone.
4:25:29
We not only provide entertainment to help these people, these grandmas and grandpas feel happy listening to our music, but we also help to combat the scourge of loneliness and feelings of isolations.
4:25:45
Music is medicine but in order to provide these services, Regina Opera, like other arts organizations, needs increased support from New York City.
4:25:58
We at Regina Opera thank you for the baseline of $45,000,000 in the executive budget in fiscal year twenty six.
4:26:09
And now due to extreme losses caused by the cuts to federal funding, we have to ask for an additional $30,000,000.
4:26:19
The extra support is especially needed to increase the Department of Cultural Affairs available funds.
4:26:26
I would like to point out that these are high velocity dollars.
4:26:31
The money goes directly into the hands of staff members and arts workers who spend it immediately on food, rent, taxes, and other necessities which help local businesses.
4:26:45
Investment in the arts is an investment in New York City.
4:26:49
Thank you.