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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Maren Berthelsen, Deputy Director of Development at Symphony Space
4:18:32
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128 sec
Maren Berthelsen, representing Symphony Space, expressed gratitude for the proposed executive budget's support for arts funding and emphasized the transformative power of the arts in strengthening communities and civil society. She highlighted Symphony Space's impact on audiences and students through various programs and called for increased baseline funding to further their goals.
- Praised the proposed $23,500,000 for cultural development funding and restoration of baseline funding for arts education
- Described Symphony Space's diverse programs, including literary, music, and film events, as well as arts education and literacy initiatives
- Emphasized the importance of arts in providing celebration, refuge, resistance, acceptance, and evidence of shared humanity
Maren Berthelsen
4:18:32
I'm Maren Berthelsen, Deputy Director of Development at Symphony Space and on behalf of our Executive Director Kathy Landau, I'd like to express my deepest appreciation for Chair Rivera and Chair Brannan and for your support of the arts in New York City.
4:18:48
We were thrilled that the proposed executive budget provides $23,500,000 for cultural development funding and that the baseline funding for arts education was restored.
4:18:59
It shows once again that New York leads the nation in demonstrating the importance of the arts in both strengthening communities and civil society.
4:19:09
This council and this committee in particular understand that the arts and artists matter.
4:19:15
Every story matters, every student matters, and every dollar matters and makes a difference.
4:19:21
Generation after generations, we see this on our stages and in our classrooms.
4:19:26
From audience members who attend our literary and music and film programs at 90 Fifth And Broadway to the thousands of New York City Students, children, and adults who participate in our arts education and literacy programs.
4:19:40
We witness the power of the arts to transform lives.
4:19:44
After a three night residency at Symphony Space, Author and musician James McBride shared that the humble space at the corner of 90 Fifth And Broadway has stood as a shining lighthouse of what art means and should mean to the wider world.
4:19:57
It shows the diversity of hope and aspiration and opinion that we should all aspire to.
4:20:03
It is our treasure, a New York special, and that is true of so many of our cultural partners.
4:20:09
Now more than ever, it is up to all of us to ensure that the arts continue to enlighten, illuminate, and inspire as they have throughout history, that they remain a source of celebration, of refuge, of resistance, acceptance, and evidence of our shared humanity.
4:20:26
An increase in baseline funding would go so much farther to furthering those goals.
4:20:30
With your committee and the City Council leading the way, we know that New York will remain the beacon for artists, audiences and community that it's always been.
4:20:39
Thank you for your time.