On Tuesday, February 3rd, representatives from Student Advocates for the Arts made their voices heard at Arts Day in Albany, New York. Along with artists and arts administrators across the state, SAA members spent a full day advocating for the state assembly and senate to reinstate the $7 million that Governor Paterson proposed cut from NYSCA. Unfortunately, the budget has passed with this cut, which will affect almost 600 arts organizations across New York.
But it’s not too late to take action! This $7 million can be reinstated in the 2009/2010 budget, and the arts can also receive a portion of the federal economic stimulus package that is coming to the state. NYSCA provides operating support, which means salaries. This cut will affect jobs if we don’t let our elected representatives know that these jobs are important and deserve the attention that every layoff gets.
Please contact your state senator/assemblymember. Take two minutes to send a quick email – you can help save a job! Special thanks to Marcie, Jonathan and Richard for their efforts and time in Albany on Tuesday. I’m looking forward to bringing a big SAA group to Arts Advocacy Day in Washington DC!
CLICK BELOW TO ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE AND FIND YOUR STATE SENATOR’S EMAIL ADDRESS!!
http://www.senate.state.ny.us/sdlookup.nsf/Public_search?OpenForm
CLICK BELOW TO ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE AND FIND YOUR STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBER’S EMAIL ADDRESS!!
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
ARTS DAY ALBANY ITINERARY
*more information on travel arrangements through RSVP at studentartsadvocates@gmail.com
Joint Committee Meeting
2nd Floor Hearing Room A
12:30 pm
Arts Day Briefing in Hearing Room A
Learn about the budget and hot button issues. Get tips and tools for your meetings with legislators and their staff from Judith K. Weiner.
All Day: Arts Advocates will attend meetings that have been scheduled with your legislators. Call now to schedule appointments.
5 – 7 pm
Arts Day Reception in the New York State Museum
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 (NOTE NEW DATE!)
Arts Day in Albany includes legislative visits alongside key policymakers and arts advocates in order to communicate the importance of the arts as an economic engine and the anchor of New York’s cultural identity.
Please let us know if you plan on joining SAA by RSVPing at studentartsadvocates@gmail.com.
TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ARTS DAY!
**Governor Paterson’s Proposed Budget Cuts to NYSCA
November 11, 2008
On November 11th, Governor Paterson presented a $5.2 billion, two-year deficit reduction plan. According to a press release issued by the Governor, “the $2 billion cut for this current fiscal year will eliminate the State’s $1.5 billion current-year shortfall, protect against further declines in revenue in a volatile economic climate, and make a substantial down payment on next year’s deficit.” This proposal reflects a reduction of arts funding through NYSCA of $7 million that has not yet been awarded. While the $7 million in NYSCA grants haven’t been awarded, many have been approved. The effort fell apart this past Tuesday, November 18th, after the governor failed to persuade the Legislature to embrace his plan. Be on the lookout for updates!
**Mayor Bloomberg’s Proposed Budget Cuts to DCA
November 5, 2008
Under Mayor Bloomberg’s current plan to account for decreased revenues due to the economic downturn, the Department of Cultural Affairs budget will be reduced by 2.5 percent in the current fiscal year and by an additional 5 percent in fiscal 2010, beginning July 1, 2009.
From Laurie Baskin at Theatre Communications Group:
The Performing Arts Alliance provides information on the public policy issues that impact the performing arts. Please click on the link below to sign up to receive these Action Alerts via email.
http://theperformingartsalliance.org/performingarts/join.html
On Wednesday, October 22nd, members of Student Advocates for the Arts experienced an evening of education and enlightenment on current policy issues affecting the arts in the United States from top leaders in the field. Gil Edelson from the Art Dealers Association of America, Laurie Baskin of Theatre Communications Group, Adrian Ross from ASCAP, Nico Daswani of the Asian American Arts Alliance and Dan Gallant from the Nuyorican Poets Cafe provided insight into the issues affecting arts organizations, artists and their work, such as online copyright, wireless microphone interference, visas, and health insurance. Many thanks to the panelists, audience, the Arts & Business Council’s Emerging Leaders Association, and all who helped to make this evening possible!
Click below to view some photos from the event:
Please join Student Advocates for the Arts for this exciting panel discussion!
RSVP to studentartsadvocates@gmail.com.
Your Vote & the Arts
A Creative Conversation presented by Student Advocates for the Arts in conjunction with Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Association
Wednesday, October 22nd
6:30pm Panel Discussion, 7:30pm Reception
Teachers College, Columbia University (120th between Broadway and Amsterdam)
Grace Dodge Hall room 179 (enter at the main entrance and follow the signs)
PANELISTS:
* Daniel Gallant – Executive Director, Nuyorican Poets Cafe
* Gilbert S. Edelson – Administrative Vice President & Counsel, Art Dealers Association of America
* Adrian Ross – Director of Public Affairs, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
* Nico Daswani – Program Director, Asian American Arts Alliance
* Laurie Baskin – Director of Government & Education Programs, Theatre Communications Group (TCG)
MODERATED BY:
Amanda White – Coordinator of Planning & Development, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
What are the current policy issues affecting artists and arts organizations? This conversation will begin as a ‘wide-lens’ approach towards advocacy, including how public policy intersects with the arts in various ways and how an individual can make a difference in what seems to be a confusing and difficult process. Then, the conversation will focus on each individual panelist’s area of expertise involving those issues pertinent to his or her industry and organization. Tax code, online copyright protection, FCC regulations, and deductable contributions are just a few of the topics we will explore with our esteemed panel of experts in government relations and the arts. Join us for a discussion on this topic as we approach the 2008 election and learn how your vote might affect the arts!
