NYS ARTS BLOG!

Regional Captains Conf. Call 2.10.08

On Call:  Diana Cherryholmes, Elaine Giguere, Megan Koenig, Celeste Lawson, Sarah Lentini, Ginnie Lupi, Hilary Oak, Kay Stamer, Caroline Thompson:  Judy Weiner, Jenifer Lew, Martha Strodel.

Judy outlined topics to be discussed:

1) 09/10 budget

2) local meetings/phone calls

3) proposed theater ticket tax

4) Coburn amendment and DC advocacy

5) Another Mini- Arts Day

Conversation started with a review of Arts Day.  Good attendance of 350-400, excellent joint committee meeting, great buttons (designed by Jen); lots of educating of local legislators.  Unfortunately, while arts people were still giving testimony at the Economic Development budget 

hearing, the vote was taken and passed on the Deficit Reduction Plan, including the $7 million cut to NYSCA for 08/09.  Jen has been working closely with Senator Serrano's and Assemblyman Englebright's offices to put all the Arts Day testimonials, YouTube videos online on our  website.  Our online database of 19,000 is of interest to both legislators.

Judy and Jen, Roni Claypool and Steve Ceurvorst, with Tom Chapin and Susanne Vega met with Speaker Silver and had a lengthy meeting with Assemblyman Englebright discussing strategies.  During meetings with legislators in Albany, the day after Arts Day, many reacted with shock and dismay: a) that the $7 million cut went through, b) and that $315 million in spending cuts in the DRP  included cuts to state agencies of $135 million and of these cuts, the  cut to NYSCA represented more than 5% - a huge hit.  There was discussion of the Federal Economic Stimulus Plan (funds coming to the State) supporting the NYSCA budget. A dependable source suggested that $8-$12 billion may be coming to NYS.

WashingtonThere was uncertainty if the Coburn amendment (passed by the Senate) would also eliminate the $50 million proposed for the NEA economic stimulus proposal.  The federal stimulus plan goes into conference and negotiations before final vote.  Senator Schumer voted for the Senate amendment (against the arts); Senator Gillibrand voted against the bill.  Please send letters to our Senators expressing your thoughts on this…as per the email you received yesterday from NYS ARTS.  Judy, Diana and Celeste will be going to for AFTA's arts advocacy day.

Celeste suggested that the only way to get increased support for NYSCA was by direct conversations with the Governor.  Is this the role of the NYSCA Chair? Kitty and Dick Schwartz filled this role in the past. Kay suggested the question be asked of Heather on the next  Cultural Blueprints conference call.( not scheduled at this time.)

AlbanyUnionGinnie suggested we partner with other organizations/agencies that have Governor Patterson's ear and let them help take our message to the Governor. (examples;  the Business Council, tourism entities).  PBS has been down in weekly to meet on proposed cuts to their budgets - the state mandates their services.  Celeste knows colleges and universities in her area have the Governor's ear, and they are working hard and fast to eliminate 09/10 budget cuts and stressing the real costs of education.  Judy has developed partnerships with the Local 802 (Musicians' in NYC) the Grammy people.  Judy will meet with Ginnie, Celeste and Caroline to explore these partnerships.

Our 09/10 ask?  After some discussion, it was decided to ask for restoration to the 08/09 arts appropriation  of  $48.5 million, develop a united message; partner to get to the Governor's office; and work with Serrano's and Englebright's office before a Mini-Arts Day in March.  We'll watch what's going on with the Federal Economic Stimulus Plan to inform our platform and select a March date when we have our points together.

The proposed theater ticket tax will hit presenting groups statewide, and could increase to 8 – 10% if local governments piggyback on this tax.  Judy will be working with the Broadway  League on a platform protesting this tax.

Plan to visit and call your legislators at home during the week of February 15th while they're in their home districts.

Submitted by Martha Strodel

Regional Captains Conf. Call

We need to talk about Arts Day on February 3, the Arts Day Reception, which is shaping up to be a really important event. And of course….our next steps BEFORE arts Day. So please click on the link below and let me know when you are available for our conference call. The majority will rule in the scheduling.

 

http://www.doodle.com/participation.html?pollId=nank3hdxqamvtu7a

We should all be pleased with Jan. 13 meetings in Albany.

Thank you to all who made the trek.

Given the short notice, we had a very good turnout….almost 150 people in total and about 50 people in the big meeting with Assemblyman McEneny and Assemblyman Englebright’s staff. The meetings were invaluable because they also gave us a sense of where the sympathies lie, the arguments/issues we face, and a general impression of the tensions in Albany.

We were happy to have Local 802 bring a busload of people from NYC and the Grammy Foundation brought an illustrious contingent. In fact Suzanne Vega and Tom Chapin were a real hit in Malcolm Smith’s office.  

Regional Captains Fire Back - NY Post article

Our regional captains respond to the article that suggests the NYSCA budget should be cut further.
A BLOODLESS BUDGET
THE GOV'S MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

A Bloodless Budget | NY Post Dec. 18, 2008 

The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes wrote:

I must take issue with Mr. McMahon's suggestion that the budget of the New York State Council on the Arts should be further cut in the state budget process.

Mr. McMahon may not be aware how the arts boost the state's economy. Arts and cultural organizations throughout the state employ people, generate tourism dollars, promote patronage of local businesses, and generate local, state and federal tax revenue. According to Alliance for the Arts, the overall economic impact of the arts industry in New York State (in 2005) was close to $26 billion! The arts generated 194,000 jobs statewide, equalling close to $10 billion in wages, and $1.2 billion in taxes back to New York State. That's a pretty good return on a $50 million investment, wouldn't you agree?

Ginnie Lupi
The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes
Corning, New York

Regional Captains

Diana Cherryholmes, huntarts@optonline.net

Elaine Giguere, elaine@artsalliance.org

CelesteLawson,celeste.lawson@artscouncilbuffalo.org

Sarah Lentini, slentini@artsrochester.org

Ginnie Lupi, executivedirector@earts.org

Joanne Mongelli, jmongelli@westarts.org

Laura Reeder, laura@arts4ed.org

Caroline Thompson, artsco@westelco.com

Kay Stamer, gcca@greenearts.org

Ron Thiele, rthiele@cnyarts.com

Hilary Oak, arts@slcartscouncil.org

Regional Captain Conference Call - Scheduling

Hi All,

I would like to set up a Regional Capt conference call. Please click here http://doodle.com/participation.html?pollId=wrapby8nqkpk7qah

to indicate your availability for several dates. Just type your name in the appropriate box and check the dates you are available.

We have a number of issues to discuss:

-       Gov’s current NYSCA budget proposal

-       special session on current budget proposal

-       current budget grantees Oct/Dec cycles

-       09-10 budget proposal

-       positioning online Calls to Action using the Online Advocacy Center : re both budgets and other state agencies

-       Governor’s web site

-       Arts Day

-       Regional advocacy mtgs

As you know Arts Day is scheduled for Feb 3 in  Albany. Our Headquarters for the day is the Third Floor Terrace (highly visible location as you come into the LOB from the

State Street entrance). After arts advocates have their mtgs with legislators, we will close with an Arts Day Reception in the NY State Museum from 5 to 7pm

The reception coordinates with the opening of the Rockwell Kent exhibition from the Plattesburg Museum, so we expect quite a crowd. I have already asked that the Reception be placed on the Governor's calendar. Of course, all the legislators will be invited.

Please don’t forget to click on the doodle link  to indicate your availability for the conference call…..which, if we are very efficient, should take one hour. 

Any question, just email….

-Judy

ATTENTION ALL Regional Captains!!!

We are changing Arts Day...moving it from Jan 20. So go get your Inauguration Tickets. You will be receiving an email shortly asking for your availability for a Regional Captain conference call later this month. Please take note that we welcome another Regional Captain, Hillary Oak, Executive Director of St. Lawrence County Arts Council. Hillary and Caroline are dividing the vast Northern Adirondack Region

Regional Captains Blog