ALLIANCE RELEASES WHITE PAPER ON IMPACT OF RECESSION
As part of a new effort to provide policy makers and funders with information the Alliance plans to issue regular survey reports about important and timely topics. The most recent survey shows that arts groups of all sizes and disciplines are reducing their budgets, planning to lay off employees and cutting programs as a result of the economic crisis.
The report was cited in The New York Times article, In New York, Proposed Budget Shuts Out Zoos, Aquariums and Gardens.
Click here to read Recession & the Arts: The Impact of the Economic Downturn on Nonprofit Cultural Groups in New York City.
THE ALLIANCE SPEAKS OUT
Randall Bourscheidt, President of the Alliance, commented on an editorial in the Daily News about the national economic stimulus package. In his remarks, Mr. Bourscheidt cites facts from our newly released capital report, Culture Builds New York: The Economic Impact of Capital Construction at New York City's Cultural Institutions 2003-2010. To read the article and comments, click here.
FUNDING FOR NEA IN ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN
On Wednesday, January 28, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Economic Recovery Package which included $50 million in grants designated for job retention for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
According to the Americans for the Arts, nonprofit arts organizations generate $166.2 billion in economic activity every year and support 5.7 million jobs. Every $1 billion in spending by nonprofit arts organizations and their audiences results in almost 70,000 full-time jobs.
The National Governors Association recently released Arts and the Economy: Using Arts and Culture to Stimulate State Economic Development, which indicates that creative industries are important to state economies because of the jobs, tax revenue, tourism and consumer purchases they generate.
To read the Alliance's most recent report on the economic impact of the arts, click here.
NY FILM SUBSIDIES CREATE JOBS AND TAX REVENUE
A study of New York's tax breaks for movie and television production indicates that the 30 percent credit offered by the state and additional 5 percent offered by New York City could generate 19,500 jobs and $404 million in tax revenue. The City collects about 6.4 times as much in taxes from film as it spends on incentives, according to the study conducted by the accounting firm Ernst & Young for both the Motion Picture Association of America and New York's state film office. For more information about New York's motion picture and television incentives, click here.
RESOURCES FOR GRANTMAKERS IN THE ARTS
Economic Turmoil and Change: Resources and Ideas for Grantmakers is a new Web site with information about the economic crisis and how it impacts arts grantmakers, foundations, arts groups and grantees. Grantmakers in the Arts, a membership organization designed to support philanthropy in the arts, will update the site regularly with online discussions and articles.
KENNEDY CENTER TO ASSIST STRUGGLING ARTS GROUPS
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will offer free planning assistance and consulting to arts groups throughout the United States. Available to nonprofit performing arts organizations, Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative, will provide counsel in the areas of fundraising, building more effective Boards of Trustees, budgeting, marketing, technology and other topics related to supporting performing arts groups during the current recession. For more information and to request consulting or advisory services, visit www.artsincrisis.org.
CANADIAN ARTS FUNDING TO BE PROTECTED
Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore has declared the government's intention to keep national funding at or above its current threshold of $2.3 billion. Last year, more than $44.8 million was eliminated from arts programs and many fear the economic downturn will continue to have an adverse affect. For more information about arts funding in Canada, click here.
FREE ADMISSION TO FRENCH MUSEUMS
French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that anyone under the age of 25 will receive free admission to the country's national museums and monuments beginning April 4. Over the past six months, 14 French museums offered free admission to everyone.
George Steel has been appointed the new general manager and artistic director for the New York City Opera effective February 1, 2009. He was previously executive director of the Miller Theatre at Columbia University.
Wayne Clough has been installed as the new secretary for the Smithsonian Institution. He was previously president of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
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