Advocacy Alert: Testify this March to Fund Dance & Dance Education in the City Budget
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Advocacy Alert: Testify this March to Fund Dance & Dance Education in the City Budget
Testify this March to Fund
Dance and Dance Education
in the New York City Budget
This March, dance workers have the opportunity to provide vital public input on how the city spends its money at the NYC Council Preliminary Budget Hearings. New Yorkers can share their experiences and advocate for increased funding and stability for arts and culture in our city.
What's happening:
Each year, New York City decides how to allocate funding for services such as childcare, affordable housing, parks, and arts and culture. Dance and cultural workers regularly participate in this process, and this advocacy has led to real wins—like securing the largest cultural budget in the city’s history last year.
This year, the city faces significant financial pressures, with a projected budget deficit of up to $12 billion. Arts and culture workers are coming together to make clear that cutting arts and arts education is not the solution.
What you can do:
Join arts and cultural workers, educators and advocates and submit testimony at two key Preliminary Budget hearings:
- Cultural Affairs Committee - Wednesday, March 18, at 9:30 a.m. (public testimony begins at 1:30 p.m.)
- Education Committee - Monday, March 23, at 9:30 a.m. (public testimony begins at 2:30 p.m.)
You can testify in person at City Hall or virtually via Zoom by registering at least 24 hours in advance. Written testimony may also be submitted up to 72 hours after the hearings, via the City Council website or by emailing testimony@council.nyc.gov.
Resources to get you started:
