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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Stephanie Hill Wilchfort, President and Director of Museum of the City of New York, on Cultural Institutions Group Funding
3:51:31
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141 sec
Stephanie Hill Wilchfort, President and Director of the Museum of the City of New York and executive vice chair of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), testified in support of additional funding for cultural institutions in New York City. She requested a $30 million baseline increase to the adopted budget for FY 2026, on top of the $45 million already baselined in the executive budget.
- Wilchfort emphasized the economic impact of arts and culture, generating $110 billion in annual economic activity and employing 15,700 full and part-time staff across CIG institutions.
- She highlighted the importance of cultural funding in light of potential federal funding cuts and the sector's role in tourism and workforce development.
- The additional $30 million is described as transformative for CIGs, DCLA, and cultural programs across the city.
Stephanie Hill Wilchfort
3:51:31
Good afternoon Chair Rivera, Chair Brannan, and members of the Committee on Culture and Finance.
3:51:36
Thank you so much for this opportunity to testify.
3:51:39
My name is Stephanie Hill Wilchfort.
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I am the Ronay Menchel President and Director of the Museum of the City of New York.
3:51:46
I'm also executive vice chair of the Cultural Institutions Group.
3:51:50
I'm here today to provide testimony on behalf of the CIGS, a coalition of 34 cultural institutions located in all five boroughs, including zoos, gardens, museums, and performing arts organizations.
3:52:03
We are testifying today to support culture for all and request a $30,000,000 baseline increase to adopted budget in FY '20 '6.
3:52:13
I wanna start by thanking the council for prioritizing culture and for your strong advocacy in securing a full restoration for our institutions in FY '25 and for the historic $45,000,000 that was baselined in the FY '20 '6 executive budget.
3:52:29
While the $45,000,000 baseline allocation stabilizes current funding, it does not increase the overall budget for culture.
3:52:38
A $30,000,000 baseline increase would be transformative for CIGs, for DCLA, and for programs across New York City.
3:52:46
This $30,000,000 would not only ensure our institutions have the resources needed to fully serve New Yorkers and attract tourists, but it would also build the city's resilience as federal policies and funding cuts threaten the viability of New York City's institutions, programs, and the livelihoods of our artists.
3:53:05
Arts and culture generate $110,000,000,000 in economic activity annually and are vital to the city's economy.
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Our cultural sector is also central to the success of our city's tourism industry and workforce.
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The cultural institutions group alone employs 15,700 full and part time staff of whom 5,800 are union members.
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Furthermore, CIGs offer career pathways and training opportunities to more 6,000 New Yorkers each year.
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This is a particularly important moment for the city to support our cultural institutions.
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Investing in culture is investing in the heart and soul of New York.
3:53:45
We ask the council to baseline $30,000,000 for culture to ensure our sector can survive and thrive.
3:53:51
Thank you so much.