The language in the 1960 legislation establishing the New York State Council on the Arts is both telling and aspirational. The agency was established
… to insure that the role of the arts …will continue to grow and will play an ever more significant part in…maintaining the paramount position of the this state in the nation and in the world as a cultural center…
Today, NYSCA’s grants support arts and cultural activities in all 62 counties. As public demand for the arts increases, however, funding for NYSCA’s has not kept pace with demand. In fact, in 1989, NYSCA’s budget exceeded $50 million. In 2018, NYSCA’s allocation was $41,639,000.
New York State needs to invest more heavily in the arts.
The Budget Process
As a state agency, NYSCA’s is included in New York State’s annual budget. (NYSCA also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, currently approximately $40,900).
New York State operates on an April-March fiscal year, and by state law, the budget must be adopted by April 1st.
The Governor releases a proposed budget early in the year, generally in January. Legislators have an opportunity to amend the budget before bringing it to a vote.
Governor Hochul chaired the statewide Regional Economic Development Councils that have transformed the state’s economy by building upon regional strengths through long-term strategic plans.