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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kristen Barrett, Vice President of Development at New 42
4:22:53
·
107 sec
Kristen Barrett from New 42 testified about the importance of city funding for cultural organizations, highlighting their work in providing affordable theater experiences and arts education to New York City students. She emphasized the transformative power of the arts and the challenges faced due to funding cuts.
- New 42 partners with over 130 schools for arts education and welcomes 19,000 students annually with $2 tickets
- The organization has provided 3,000 free tickets to children and families in NYCHA housing
- Recent funding reductions from DCLA, loss of speaker initiative funding, and an NEA funding withdrawal have strained their resources
Kristen Barrett
4:22:53
Good afternoon.
4:22:54
I'm Kristen Barrett, Vice President of Development for New 42, New 40 Second Street.
4:22:58
Thank you very much for welcoming all of us today and for your tireless efforts to grow city funding for cultural organizations.
4:23:05
As we all know, the arts and culture sector exists at the very heart of our city, and meaningful funding is critical.
4:23:12
The power of the arts can be transformative, expanding a child's socio emotional development and opening up their creative potential.
4:23:20
Many young New Yorkers have had their first experience with live performance at our new Victory Theater.
4:23:26
1 of our partnering teachers recently shared, none of my students have ever been to a theater before.
4:23:31
Some of them had never even taken the train in Tidal today.
4:23:34
This was so exciting for us.
4:23:37
Each year, we partner with over 130 schools throughout the five boroughs for in classroom arts education, and we welcome 19,000 students to the theater with a highly subsidized $2 ticket.
4:23:49
We also provided have provided 3,000 free tickets to children and families in NYCHA housing.
4:23:55
These programs and more rely on city funding.
4:23:59
At New forty two, reductions in our Department of Cultural Affairs allocation and the loss of speaker initiative funding in recent years have strained our already limited resources, making it difficult to think expansively and sustainably about how we invite all New Yorkers to engage with the arts.
4:24:16
Our federal support was also cut this month when the NEA withdrew its approved funding recommendation of one of our productions.
4:24:23
I urge the City Council to fight for essential cultural funding on behalf of New forty two and the many organizations that make up the cultural community here in New York City.
4:24:32
And I thank you very very much for ensuring that New Yorkers of all ages have access to world class performing arts.
4:24:39
Thank you.