By THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER JIMMY VAN BRAMER
47-01 QUEENS BLVD, SUITE 205
SUNNYSIDE, NY 11104
(718) 383-9566
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** January 8, 2013
CONTACT: Jason Banrey / O: 718-383-9566 ext. 7/917-657-5246/ JBanrey@council.nyc.gov
Follow Us On Twitter: http://twitter.com/jimmyvanbramer
***PRESS RELEASE***
COUNCIL MEMBER VAN BRAMER LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR NYC’S CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
Campaign seeks to generate support for an increase in the city’s financial commitment to the 1,200+ cultural organizations in the five New York City boroughs
On January 8th, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Chair of the Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations Committee, announced his support for the One Percent for Culture Campaign at an event today at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, strengthening the growing coalition to support New York City’s cultural landscape.
The councilman’s support adds to the rapidly growing coalition of cultural, business, civic leaders and artists throughout all five boroughs who recognize the vital role of the city’s 1,200-plus non-profit cultural organizations.
“Through a coalition of hundreds of non-profit cultural organizations and tens of thousands of New Yorkers we will continue to fight for essential funding we so desperately need for the arts,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, “By increasing funding for culture and the arts in all five boroughs we will sustain our New York City’s dominance as the world’s premiere cultural capital for future years to come.”
One Percent for Culture is an an unprecedented collaboration across New York City’s cultural and business communities aimed at educating New Yorkers about the value of non-profit culture to New York City. The city has made great strides by increasing capital support for cultural organizations over the past decade, and this campaign seeks to ensure that the next administration understands the vital role culture plays in our city. Only with future operating support can these investments in our cultural organizations provide long-term benefit to all New Yorkers.
The coalition, which has grown to 245 members, seeks to garner a commitment from the city to ensure that non-profit cultural organizations across all five boroughs receive one percent of the municipal expense budget annually. More than 25,000 New Yorkers have already signed the One Percent for Culture appeal in support of investment in cultural organizations.
Non-profit culture is essential to the economy and identity of New York City. Nearly 24 million tourists are drawn to the city’s world-class cultural offerings each year. Non-profit culture creates more than 100,000 jobs and generates $7.6 billion in economic activity. Despite the measurable value of culture to the city’s fiscal health, non-profit cultural organizations currently receive less than one-fourth of one percent of the overall city expense budget.
Said Sheila Lewandowski, Executive Director, The Chocolate Factory; One Percent for Culture Steering Committee member: “Our cultural organizations have a profound impact on our local business communities. Not only do cultural organizations purchase from and partner with local vendors, they also help attract customers and engage in creative placemaking improving our communities. Non-profit culture impacts New York industries and generates jobs in many fields including employing artists, business support, security services, construction, education, restaurants, finance, and more.”
Said Charles Rice-Gonzalez, Executive Director, BAAD!, Bronx Academy for Arts & Dance: “Studies have proven and my experience has witnessed that culture and community have a symbiotic relationship where one inspires and nourishes the other to improve life and make great art.”
Said Eric Pryor, Executive Director, Center for Arts Education: “The rich array of arts and cultural institutions across the city’s five boroughs provide invaluable opportunities for our city’s school children to experience and learn about the arts, culture, history and more. Unfortunately, far too many students attend city public schools that have no relationship or partnership with our city’s cultural institutions. The One Percent for Culture Campaign will help ensure that all of our 1.1 million students have the opportunity for a world class arts education here in the cultural capital of the world.”
Said Klaus Biesenbach, MoMA PS1 Director: “Nonprofit culture is essential to our city’s economy and the vibrancy of our communities. Increasing the city funding for nonprofit culture will help ensure that cultural organizations thrive in all neighborhoods and all five boroughs.”
New York City is home to more than 1,200 cultural organizations and thousands of artists. These organizations and individuals create jobs, attract customers to merchants, and generate revenue for small businesses. They stimulate the minds of the citizens and tourists and provide vital supplemental education to millions of New York City students. New York City’s cultural community is a broad spectrum that includes performing arts centers, art galleries, dance troupes, orchestras, non-profit theater companies, museums, community arts programs, zoos, and more.
For more information about the One Percent for Culture campaign or to join the coalition, please visit www.OneForCulture.org.
In the photo link below, Council Member Van Bramer is joined by Klaus Biesenbach, Director of MoMA PS 1, Lewandowski, Executive Director of the Chocolate Factory Theater in Long Island City, Charles Rice-Gonzalez, Executive Director of Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, and Eric Prior, Executive Director of the Center for Arts Education.
FOR A JPEG PICTURE FROM THE EVENT PLEASE VISIT OUR VIRTUAL PRESS ROOM:
http://jimmyvanbramer.com/virtualpressroom/1-8_OnePercentAnnouncement_(7).JPG
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