Arts Services Initiative of WNY's Candidate Survey 2018

If you are running in the Primary Race: Please complete by Monday, August 27, 2018 at 5PM.
 
If you are running in the November Election: Please complete by Monday, September 24, 2018 at 5PM. 
 
Western New York is widely viewed as being in the midst of a renaissance, while it is also noted that for many citizens and neighborhoods significant challenges remain.  As both a key contributor to the former, and a key resource for the latter, arts and culture plays a significant and unique role in Western New York’s health and future.  Numerous studies and reports have shown:
  • The not for profit cultural sector and its audience in Western New York has an annual economic impact of $352.1 million dollars (Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Report*);
  • This sector generates $40.3 million in local  and state tax revenue (Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Report*);
  • There are over 2,690 arts-related businesses located in total in WNY – combining District 57 (299), District 59 (502), District 60 (516), District 61 (531), District 62 (360), and District 63 (485) (2017 Creative Industries Report, Americans for the Arts);
  • With the reduction of in-school visual and performing arts classes, there is greater demand for arts and cultural engagement for youth out of school and in the community;
  • Arts education helps children develop higher level skills such as critical thinking and problem solving;
  • The arts have a positive impact on the development of local communities and social networks;
  • The arts contribute to innovation within a community;
  • Arts and culture is a key component of Visit Buffalo Niagara’s tourism efforts and a frequent lead mention in national and international stories about the community;  and
  • Cultural amenities are utilized in the attraction and retention of new economy businesses and knowledge workers to the region.
 
New York State and Western New York have served, and continue to serve, as leading supporters of the cultural sector in numerous ways, in addition to federal support to the WNY region through national initiatives.  As is clearly shown above, this support benefits the people of Western New York, those visiting the area, businesses located here, and government itself.  Our Senators play a key role in government and decision making, and therefore we ask candidates for the NYS Senate their thoughts on these issues.

 *A complete and detailed Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Report can be found HERE
 

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* 1. Name:

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* 2. Office Sought

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* 3. Current Occupation & Employer

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* 4. The current 2018 funding of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) is $46.9 million, spending just $0.42 per NYS resident.  Would you support a plan to increase state arts funding to NYSCA to $1 per NYS resident, so that arts organizations in your district can present even more accessible arts programs for all of its residents?

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* 5. Several of the Regional Economic Development Council plans throughout the state include arts and culture as a priority or targeted industry, but the Western New York plan only mentions it in the context of tourism.  If elected, would you advocate for the inclusion of arts and culture in the WNY Regional Economic Development Council plan and for a cultural representative to sit on the Council?

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