Rally and Testify at Upcoming City Budget Hearings to Protect and Expand Funding for Arts and Arts Education
 

On May 1, Mayor Eric Adams announced that the FY26 Executive Budget will permanently restore and baseline $41 million for arts education in NYC public schools, with an additional $4 million for programming in the 2025–26 school year. The budget also includes a historic $45 million increase to the Department of Cultural Affairs’ baseline budget—a major move forward, even as we continue to advocate for the full $75 million increase. 

These wins are the result of your advocacy. But the budget isn’t final yet, and with continued cuts at the federal level, securing strong local funding has never been more important. We must show our city leaders that funding arts and culture is essential to building strong, healthy, educated, and safe communities.

What you can do:

1. Join arts and cultural workers, educators and advocates and submit testimony at these two key Executive Budget hearings:

• Education Committee - Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with public testimony at 2:00 p.m.
• Cultural Affairs Committee - Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with public testimony at 2:00 p.m.

Testify at City Hall or virtually via Zoom by registering at least 24 hours in advance, or as early as possible. Or submit written testimony up to 72 hours after the hearings, via the Council’s website or by emailing them to testimony@council.nyc.gov.

2. Join colleagues, friends, and supporters at these two rallies to demand robust funding:

• Education rally on May 20 from 9:00–10:00 a.m. at City Hall
• Rally for Culture on May 21 at 10:30–11:30 a.m. at City Hall

Let lawmakers know that dance—along with the wider arts and culture sector—are integral to not only New York City’s economy but the well-being and vibrancy of our city as a whole.
 

REGISTER TO TESTIFY

 

Here are some resources to help you get started:

• How to Testify or Submit a Written Testimony
• Review Our Oral Testimony Template
• Arts & culture budget ask one-pager
• Arts education budget ask one-pager