PREVIEW: Statewide Arts Community to Rally in Albany for $270M Investment in NYSCA
Photo by Nate Bogardus
Stakeholders from across New York State will gather at the capital tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25, at 12:00 p.m. for an Arts Rally in the Senate Gallery (on the 4th Floor of the Legislative Office Building) organized by New Yorkers for Culture & Arts (NY4CA) in partnership with cultural organizations statewide. NY4CA are calling on state leaders to make a major investment in the lives of New Yorkers with robust funding for arts in the upcoming New York State Budget.
This comes on the heels of a proposal led by Senator José M. Serrano, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, and Assembly Member Ron Kim, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development, to fund the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) at $270 million, including $136 million for Aid to Localities — with $10 million of that going to stabilization funding, and $134 million for capital projects.
NY4CA stated that the Empire State’s creative sector generates more than $160 billion in economic activity, accounts for 7.6% of the state’s GDP, and supports over 400,000 jobs, and has experienced exponential growth in upstate cities and towns. Cultural institutions and community arts organizations also serve as anchors for local economies, increasing foot traffic to nearby businesses, providing programming for youth and elders, and offering accessible cultural activities for families across New York. Advocates say for this ecosystem to continue to thrive and support local communities, it requires sustained public investment. Even Governor Hochul has joined in on the support, describing the creative sector as a key driver in the state’s economic growth employing hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.
Advocates have also noted that traditionally, the demand for funding has far exceeded available resources; upwards of 1,200 organizations applied for recent assistance while only 62 were funded. Participants will also urge lawmakers to strengthen arts education statewide by passing the proposed Arts Codification Bills (S6318A / A6490B) and ensuring full Foundation Aid funding so that a quality arts education is made accessible to every student in New York.
The rally comes during a time of broader concerns about arts and cultural funding and the growing attempts of the federal government to restrict artistic expression, which was touched upon in our March ‘26 print issue’s Newsfront column by James Mullen. The stakeholders argue that New York must play a leadership role in protecting cultural life and supporting the communities that sustain it. A large number of them have signed onto a statewide letter urging legislators to support the ambitious funding proposal.
Scheduled speakers include:
- Senator José M. Serrano, Chair, Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
- Assembly Member Ron Kim, Chair, Assembly Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development
- David Little, Executive Director, Rural Schools Association of New York (RSANY)
- Melanie Rotkamp, President and CEO, Destination Dutchess / Dutchess Tourism, Inc.
- Kimberly Olsen, Executive Director, NYC Arts in Education Roundtable
- Elizabeth Reiss, President and CEO, Arts Center of the Capital Region
- Kim Blasiak, NYS PTA
- Carter Mack, Youth Ambassador, We Are Instrumental
- Cjala Surratt, Co-Founder, Black Artists Collective NYC
There will also be performances by multidisciplinary artists Martikah Williams and D. Colin.