New York mayor Eric Adams and the city council agreed to a municipal budget on Friday (28 June) that restores $53m in funding to cultural institutions.
The $112.4bn budget for fiscal year 2025 also restores $58m in funding for the city’s three public library systems—allowing them to reopen on Sundays and remain open Saturdays—and guarantees those library systems baseline funding of $43m annually going forward. The finalised budget was approved by the city council on 30 June, just before the deadline, with 46 councilmembers voting in favour and three against, City & State reported.
“I want to give a shout out to the advocates, artists, cultural workers and others who showed up at hearings, rallies and other engagements to make the case for culture to their fellow New Yorkers,” Laurie Cumbo, the commissioner of the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs, said in a statement. “We know that culture inspires individuals, strengthens communities and drives the economy. Now, with another record city investment in this important sector, we in local government are ready to continue partnering with our remarkable cultural community to continue delivering these benefits to residents in all five boroughs.”
The approved budget includes almost $1bn more in funding than was outlined in the budget proposal Adams made in April (which, in turn, included more than $2bn in additional funding compared to his first budget proposal for 2025).
“Since day one, our administration has been laser focused on delivering for working-class New Yorkers and by working side-by-side with our partners across the hall, we are proud to announce a full restoration of funds to both our libraries and cultural institutions in the upcoming budget,” mayor Adams said in a statement last week. “These institutions are a critical part of New York City’s social fabric, which New Yorkers depend on for their children’s growth and the vibrancy of our city. The budget will ensure these essential institutions will have what they need to serve New Yorkers and attract visitors every day of the week.”
The mayor has been criticised for claiming that the cost of responding to the city’s migrant crisis required making major cuts elsewhere. The cultural sector, library officials and supporters have been especially vocal pushing back against Adams’s cuts.
“In just one year, our cultural economy generates around $110bn in economic activity for New York City,” city council speaker Adrienne Adams (no relation to mayor Adams) said at a rally against the culture funding cuts last month. “The health of our cultural institutions are directly tied to the health of our city, and we cannot afford to cut back on our investments that provide New Yorkers with economic and educational opportunities.”
Sean M. Decatur, the president of the American Museum of Natural History, added: “Cultural institutions are drivers of not just the social well-being of cities, but also their economic well-being. It’s vital that the arts and culture sector, which is so central [to] New York City’s identity and success, receives the support it needs to keep the city thriving.”