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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Katherine Kusiak Carey, Education Project Administration at Brooklyn Museum
3:42:22
·
3 min
Katherine Kusiak Carey, from the Brooklyn Museum's education division, testifies to request increased funding for the Department of Cultural Affairs in the FY '26 budget. She highlights how budget cuts have impacted educational programs at the museum, including the cancellation of a long-standing fellowship program and reductions in various community outreach initiatives.
- Emphasizes the importance of cultural funding for providing opportunities in arts and education for all New Yorkers
- Mentions the impact of federal funding cuts, including the cancellation of an IMLS grant
- Describes specific program cuts, including adult literacy programs, Spanish-speaking programs, and reduction in K-12 guided gallery visits
Katherine Kusiak Carey
3:42:22
Hi, good afternoon.
3:42:23
My name is Catherine Kusiat Carey and I work in the education division at the Brooklyn Museum.
3:42:28
I've worked at the Brooklyn Museum for eight years and I'm a proud member of district council DC thirty seven, local fifteen o two.
3:42:36
I first wanna thank the chairs of this committee for your your ongoing support for our union and your support for cultural institutions and working class New Yorkers.
3:42:48
When Brooklyn Museum leadership attempted to lay off our union members this fiscal year, members of this committee supported us in avoiding these layoffs and showed its commitment to protecting unions, as well as supporting arts and culture.
3:43:03
And we hope to continue this collaboration as workers and local government to protect artists and cultural workers that make our arts and educational institutions places where all New Yorkers can express creativity, learn, and benefit from the resources and programming's that enrich their lives.
3:43:22
Today I'm asking the council to increase funding for the Department of Cultural Affairs for FY '26 budget.
3:43:28
And I'm also here today to talk about as an educator how this budget affects my work and how the museum's financial situation impacts the communities that we serve.
3:43:38
So in my role, the education division, I support the work of educators that support over 50,000 people, including public school students, DOE educators, teens from all five boroughs, families, access audiences, as well as older adults and emerging professionals.
3:43:59
Over the past few months, our education team has been directed to drastically reduce programming due to decreased funding.
3:44:08
And it's been deeply concerning to watch thriving programs that have served diverse audiences come to a halt.
3:44:15
For an example, our division has a very highly respected paid internship and fellowship program.
3:44:23
We do targeted outreach to first generation college students as well as CUNY and SUNY students which create a path for jobs in the cultural sector.
3:44:35
For the first time in thirty years we will not be running a fellowship program.
3:44:40
In addition just last June we received an email that a federal IMLS grant was abruptly cancelled.
3:44:50
This impact would, this grant, the impact of cutting this program comes at a high cost to the museum and would reduce our internship program.
3:45:01
Other education programs have been cut include outreach for adult literacy and art making programs, programs for adult Spanish speakers, and a reduction of the number of educators teaching k through 12 guided gallery visits to school groups.
3:45:18
At a time when federal cuts are forcing museums to halt programs and educators are strained for resources, I urge the committee to prioritize funding for cultural institutions as an investment in our city's future and ensure that our city continues to provide opportunities for arts and education programming for all New Yorkers.
3:45:39
Thank you.