Councilman Ritchie Torres artists and cultural activists and leaders from cultural institutions across the Bronx to rally and press Mayor de Blasio to invest $25 million for cultural funding in the city’s budget that is currently being negotiated. New York City is home to more than 1,500 cultural organizations. The cultural sector brings $4 billion in revenue to the city annually and employs 8% of the city’s workforce, but the current proposed fiscal year 2020 budget for arts and cultural institutions is $48.1 million (24% less) than last year’s budget. The City must continue to expand funding for cultural organizations that drive our economy and together make New York City the cultural capital of the world Councilman Torres said.
Above - Ms. Lucy Sexton of New Yorkers for Cultural Arts speaks why the arts are so important to all New Yorkers.
Below - Charles Rice-Gonzalez of BADD an Arts provider speaks about why different Arts programs are important.
Above and Below - Those in attendance were given a little sample of a dance routine by Jennifer Beasty Acosta and Ana "Rokefella" Garcia.
