Res 0643-2023

Whereas, Arts and cultural education, activities, performances, and presentations can be an important set of tools in the fight for equity, inclusion, and justice for diverse New York State ("State") residents and the arts and cultural organizations that serve and represent them; and Whereas, Arts and cultural organizations that are capable of and interested in joining this fight have not historically had equitable access to State resources to support their work; and Whereas, The current State arts and cultural affairs law governing the State's "council on the arts"-now known as the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)-focuses NYSCA on grant making to individuals and organizations that promote tourism through the arts; and Whereas, Most organizations that serve and represent underserved communities and people of color do not just promote tourism, but also use arts and culture to promote the social good, cultural identity and preservation, and community health and welfare in their diverse communities; and Whereas, These organizations that serve and represent diverse communities have had to compete for funding against organizations with different and sometimes more commercial missions and have had a difficult time doing so; and Whereas, A.4912, introduced on February 24, 2023, by State Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, representing the 43rd State Assembly District in Brooklyn, and subsequently amended, would amend the State arts and cultural affairs law to increase access to resources by culturally diverse arts and cultural organizations that advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural preservation, and racial and social justice; and Whereas, Companion bill S.5714, introduced on March 15, 2023, by State Senator Cordell Cleare, representing the 30th State Senate District in Manhattan, and subsequently amended, would provide for the same increase in access to resources by those organizations; and Whereas, S.5714-A/A.4912-A would direct NYSCA to "stimulate and encourage...the study and presentation of cultural preservation and development, racial and social justice, the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation therein"; and Whereas, S.5714-A/A.4912-A would provide that, when issuing grants to applicants for "council funds in the area of cultural preservation and development, racial and social justice, and the performing arts," NYSCA may consider the applicant's demonstrated ability to "use arts and culture as a tool to address racial and social justice issues"; and Whereas, S.5714-A/A.4912-A would require that the 21 members of NYSCA be "broadly representative of all fields of cultural preservation and development, racial and social justice, [and] the performing and fine arts"; and Whereas, S.5714-A/A.4912-A would require the governor to make appointments to NYSCA with consideration given to recommendations from "representative civic, educational and professional associations and groups, concerned with or engaged in the equitable production or presentation of cultural preservation and development [activities], racial and social justice [activities], and the performing and fine arts generally"; and Whereas, If passed, S.5714-A/A.4912-A would take effect immediately; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.5714-A/A.4912-A to increase access to resources by culturally diverse arts and culture organizations that advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural preservation, and racial and social justice. LS #13046 6/21/23 RHP 3