Arts Services Initiative of WNY's Candidate Survey 2019

DEADLINE: Please submit your response no later than Monday, September 23, 2019 by 5PM.
The City of Buffalo 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 the City’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 200 arts and cultural organizations located in the City of Buffalo; with every Common Council District having at least one arts organization located within its District; and with every Common Council District having at least two or more arts activities/programs that directly serve the residents of each District (data collected by Arts Services Initiative of WNY, in conjunction with representatives from the Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance);
  • 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.
The City’s Common Council Members have served, and some continue to serve, as supporters of the cultural sector in numerous ways. As is clearly shown above, this support benefits the people of The City of Buffalo, those visiting the area, businesses located here, and government itself. Our City of Buffalo Common Council Members play a key role in government and decision making, and therefore we ask candidates for the Council District seats their thoughts on these issues.

*A complete and detailed Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Report can be found at www.asiwny.org/arts-economic-prosperity-report 

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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. Arts organizations in the City of Buffalo have struggled with consistent and streamlined distribution of funding from the City. A historic amount of $100,000 has been distributed in the past, shared by an average of 35-40 total arts organizations, intended on being offered on an annual basis. Between the historic City arts funding years of 2012-2019, funding distribution was skipped in years 2014, 2016, AND 2018 – proving an inconsistent, and unclear process; especially for organizations planning for sustainability.


Would you support restored, annual grant funding for arts and cultural organizations in the City of Buffalo and increase the historic total amount ($100,000 spread across 35-40 organizations)?

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