Arts Day in Albany on February 24th

From NYS Arts:

Our legislators need to hear from us NOW. Before we see them on Arts Day 2010 February 24. Send your legislator an email through the NYS ARTS Advocacy HQ.

Our Message: Keep NYSCA local assistance funding LEVEL at $41.6 million

The Executive budget cut the arts by 15.5% or $6.5 million reducing it from $41.6 million to $35.150 million.

This takes us back to 1985 funding levels for the arts. And given the rate of inflation totaling

104% since that time, this funding is actually worth 48 cents on the dollar today....or less than $17 million.

The arts are a great return on investment with an economic impact of $27.5 BILLION in New York State. For an investment of less than $42 million, $27.5 billion is pumped back into the economy.

The arts create jobs. In 2008-09 there were 54,000 arts related businesses in New York State. The arts employ more than 340,000 people in the State. Almost 50% of arts spending by cultural organizations support JOBS. An additional 12% is spent on professional services....more JOBS.

Send your email now. It is easy. It will take 2 minutes. The system will identify your legislators for you, and you can customize the letter.


Joint Meeting of the Senate & Assembly
Arts Committees
Senator Jose M. Serrano
Chairman; Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Assemblyman Steve Englebright
Chairman; Tourism, Arts and Sports Development

ARTS DAY

Albany, New York
February 24, 2010
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Hearing Room A
2nd Floor, Legislative Office Building

To discuss potential budget cuts to the arts.
Hear Heather Hitchens, Executive Director, NYSCA speak at the Joint Committee meeting.

Arts Day Schedule
in Hearing Room A, LOB
9 am - 3 pm:
Arts Day Headquarters open and staffed.
Pick up Arts Day Handouts; Arts Day Buttons, and materials that can be left behind with Legislators.
NYS ARTS has compiled information about the history of the State's allocations to NYSCA, charts and graphs that tell a visual funding story, and economic impact data that will be useful in your meetings.

9 :30 am: Arts Day Briefing in Hearing Room A.
Arts Day briefing begins PROMPTLY at 9:30 am.

Join Judith Kaufman Weiner, ED, NYS ARTS; Veronica Claypool, President, NYS ARTS Board

Learn about the budget and hot button issues. Get tips and tools for your meetings with legislators and their staff from Judith K. Weiner.

11 am: Joint Committee Meeting. Hear Heather Hitchens Executive Director of NYSCA speak to the Legislators. 2nd Floor Hearing Room A.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.

All Day:
Arts Advocates attend your scheduled meetings with your legislators. Call now to schedule appointments.

Coordinate your ARTS DAY efforts.. with fellow advocates.
Schedule your appointments with your legislators before and/or after the 11 am - 1 pm Joint Committee Hearing.

Sign up now for Arts Day 2010