Home Page > Editorial and Op-Ed
For the Sake of Our Economy, Increase Arts Funding
Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:20:00
The New York State Legislature and Gov. Spitzer have the opportunity to take two actions in 2008 that will preserve and expand the arts in New York for many years to come. First, I call upon the Senate to pass S. 1327-A/A. 272-A, my legislation that has already passed the Assembly this year to create a check-off on State personal income tax returns for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). Second, the Legislature and governor should agree to increase funding for NYSCA by $3.5 million over its current proposed level of $49 million.
We all know that in the complicated world in which we live, the arts play an important part in all of our lives. Arts and cultural performances serve as a place to take our minds off our day-to-day activities as well as a reminder of our shared history. What is not always appreciated, however, is what the arts mean to New York State’s economy. Over 8 percent of jobs in New York City are in creative industries, and these professions are growing at twice the rate of non-creative professions. In fact, the combined economic impact of just two 2007 exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in my district was $377 million in spending by regional, national and foreign tourists, with a direct tax benefit to the city and state from out-of-town visitors totaling $37.7 million. Throughout this state, cultural offerings and jobs have provided economic benefits to communities where other sectors of the economy have been struggling.
Despite this extended growth in cultural sectors of this state’s economy, funding for NYSCA has remained stagnant and has actually decreased over the past two decades, when adjusted for inflation from $3.03 per capita funding in 1990 versus $2.54 in 2008. Though resources have been limited, NYSCA grants have been the lifeline for dozens of cultural institutions around this state, including $3.35 million in funding in 2007 for the Capital Region, $1.17 million for the Mohawk Valley, $2.29 million for the Finger Lakes, $1.90 million for the Southern Tier and $2.68 million for Western New York.
As the representative for Manhattan’s Museum Mile and a member of the Assembly’s Tourism, Arts and Sports Development Committee, I have secured over $1.5 million in capital funding for cultural organizations, and for every year since 2004 I have authored legislation that has passed the Assembly to create a voluntary tax check-off for NYSCA. S. 1327-A/A. 272-A will provide an easy way for New York State taxpayers to support the arts as part of their tax payments without making additional demands on state funds.
Further, arts advocates have called upon the Legislature to increase NYSCA funding in the state fiscal year 2008-09 budget from $49 million to $52.5 million. While this increase would only result in a state budget that would be spending just $2.72 per person this year in funding for the arts, it will provide a boost to cultural institutions, from Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo to the Corning Museum of Glass to the Parrish Museum on Long Island. It was our arts and cultural establishments that kept New York’s tourism and economy afloat during lean economic times in this decade, and it is our duty to respect their impact by providing them with the government funds they deserve.
Failure to increase funding for NYSCA will have a devastating effect upon many of New York State’s cultural institutions, as well as many related or dependent businesses and employees. The arts are a wonderful gift to people of all ages and backgrounds which truly enhance our lives, and our communities’ pocketbooks. The State Senate should support S. 1327-A/A. 272-A to increase funding for the arts in the 2008-09 budget.
We all know that in the complicated world in which we live, the arts play an important part in all of our lives. Arts and cultural performances serve as a place to take our minds off our day-to-day activities as well as a reminder of our shared history. What is not always appreciated, however, is what the arts mean to New York State’s economy. Over 8 percent of jobs in New York City are in creative industries, and these professions are growing at twice the rate of non-creative professions. In fact, the combined economic impact of just two 2007 exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in my district was $377 million in spending by regional, national and foreign tourists, with a direct tax benefit to the city and state from out-of-town visitors totaling $37.7 million. Throughout this state, cultural offerings and jobs have provided economic benefits to communities where other sectors of the economy have been struggling.
Despite this extended growth in cultural sectors of this state’s economy, funding for NYSCA has remained stagnant and has actually decreased over the past two decades, when adjusted for inflation from $3.03 per capita funding in 1990 versus $2.54 in 2008. Though resources have been limited, NYSCA grants have been the lifeline for dozens of cultural institutions around this state, including $3.35 million in funding in 2007 for the Capital Region, $1.17 million for the Mohawk Valley, $2.29 million for the Finger Lakes, $1.90 million for the Southern Tier and $2.68 million for Western New York.
As the representative for Manhattan’s Museum Mile and a member of the Assembly’s Tourism, Arts and Sports Development Committee, I have secured over $1.5 million in capital funding for cultural organizations, and for every year since 2004 I have authored legislation that has passed the Assembly to create a voluntary tax check-off for NYSCA. S. 1327-A/A. 272-A will provide an easy way for New York State taxpayers to support the arts as part of their tax payments without making additional demands on state funds.
Further, arts advocates have called upon the Legislature to increase NYSCA funding in the state fiscal year 2008-09 budget from $49 million to $52.5 million. While this increase would only result in a state budget that would be spending just $2.72 per person this year in funding for the arts, it will provide a boost to cultural institutions, from Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo to the Corning Museum of Glass to the Parrish Museum on Long Island. It was our arts and cultural establishments that kept New York’s tourism and economy afloat during lean economic times in this decade, and it is our duty to respect their impact by providing them with the government funds they deserve.
Failure to increase funding for NYSCA will have a devastating effect upon many of New York State’s cultural institutions, as well as many related or dependent businesses and employees. The arts are a wonderful gift to people of all ages and backgrounds which truly enhance our lives, and our communities’ pocketbooks. The State Senate should support S. 1327-A/A. 272-A to increase funding for the arts in the 2008-09 budget.
