CITY COUNCIL HEARINGS

Two hearings have been scheduled of general interest to the cultural community.

Oversight Hearing on the Impact of the Arts on New York City's Economy
Monday, February 24, 2003, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at City Hall Council Chambers
This is a joint hearing of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries & International Intergroup Relations, José Serrano (District 17, Bronx), Chairperson, and the Committee on Economic Development, James Sanders, Jr. (District 31, Queens), Chairperson.
Registration: Call (212) 788-6921

Budget Hearing on Cultural Affairs, Libraries & International Intergroup Relations
Monday, March 24, 2003, 10:00 - 11:30 am at City Hall Council Chambers
Committee Chairperson: José Serrano
Registration: After Feb. 24, call (212) 788-6921

NEW CITY BUDGET CUTS PROPOSED

On Tuesday, January 28, Mayor Bloomberg announced the January 2003 Financial Plan covering the fiscal years 2003-2007. As indicated in his budget amendment message last November, the Mayor proposed a further reduction in Expense Budget funding and a major cut in Capital Budget funding for the Cultural Affairs Department.

Expense Budget. An additional reduction of 6.2 percent is proposed for the Cultural Affairs Department, effective July 1, bringing the total cumulative decrease to 15 percent for Fiscal 2004 to the Programs and Institutions budgets. This 15 percent reduction for FY 2004 was made equally to the total Programs and Institutions allocations. If these new cuts are adopted, we estimate that the DCA budget would represent 0.2 percent of the entire City budget--down from 0.3 percent a year ago.

The reductions would be made against the FY 2003 baseline--meaning that all Council add-ons are, as usual, removed. The Cultural Challenge has now been eliminated for FY 2004, absorbing part of the decrease. Reductions were made across the board to Programs groups. City-funded institutions were divided above and below a $3.5 million budget line, with those above cut by 22 percent, and those below by 17 percent. (Energy allocations are not reduced, effectively increasing the cut to other operating support to the CIG.)

Capital Budget. The Mayor proposed a total cut of 30 percent in the DCA Capital Budget, amounting to nearly $300 million over the next 11 years. This would reverse the trend over the past decade of increasing City appropriations for a wide range of building projects. Work at institutions throughout the city would be eliminated or postponed. As of publication time, precise capital budget numbers could not be confirmed.

This Preliminary Budget will be the subject of a hearing before the City Council in March (see article above). The budget process continues with the Executive Budget in April and more Council hearings, leading to the adoption of the FY 2004 budget in June.

An indication of the Council's concerns has been offered by City Councilmember José Serrano, head of the Cultural Affairs Committee, who said, "I can assure you that the Council is working diligently to strengthen New York City's cultural organizations for the benefit of local communities and the City's overall economy, and also to preserve New York City's role as a leading global arts destination."

ARTS IN THE SCHOOLS

Arts education in the New York Public Schools is now high on the agenda of the new Department of Education, according to remarks by Chancellor Joel Klein at a gathering of about 100 cultural leaders hosted by the ArtsConnection on January 23. Acknowledging the roles of Joan Firestone, Nancy Shankman--long-time arts education advocates--and of Caroline Kennedy, the Chancellor's new Chief Executive of the Office of Strategic Partnerships, Mr. Klein said that a new committee would propose fresh approaches to incorporating the arts into school curriculums. The Chancellor declared that the creativity and distinction of many arts education programs operating in the schools needed to be included in a comprehensive policy and program.

CULTURE IS IN THE NEWS

From time to time we will share with you current articles in the media about culture. This month, we feature three articles--two about the financial crisis facing the city's cultural organizations and one about technology, specifically mapping, and how it can help present data in compelling ways.

City's Arts Budget Being Cut in Money Pinch,
The New York Times, February 11, 2003

Capital Cuts Imperil Major Cultural Plans,
Crain's New York Business, February 10, 2003

Putting Charity on the Map, Chronicle of Philanthropy, February 6, 2003

INSIDER'S HOUR

Insider's Hour, a promotion of local cultural institutions sponsored by NYC & Company/Convention & Visitors Bureau, is now underway for the fourth year, continuing through March 31.

More than 60 cultural organizations--all members of NYC & Company--are offering one-hour guided visits in an effort to reach an audience of out-of-towners and busy New Yorkers. The program--promoted in publications worldwide and in local visitor centers and hotels-- has attracted new visitors to many institutions. It is one of many benefits of joining the city's official tourist and special promotion agency, which has played an active role in winning the city's designation as the US candidate for the Olympics in 2012 and as the host of the 2004 Republican National Convention.