Martha Nabors testifies on Snug Harbor and cultural workforce challenges
Martha Nabors of Snug Harbor Cultural Center says CreateNYC inspired diversity and accessibility changes, but cultural workers earn 23% less than national average, artists are leaving NYC, and the city must act to stem the creative brain drain.
Good afternoon, Dr.
Williams and council staff.
Thank you so much for the shout out to Staten Island.
We do appreciate that.
I am Martha Nabors, Executive Vice President of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, a culture park and member of the Cultural Institutions Group located in Council District 49 on Staten Island.
I'm here today on behalf of Jessica Vador, President and CEO and Vice Chair for Staten Island of the Cultural Institutions Group.
Create NYC was instrumental in building a more inclusive and equitable cultural sector.
Snug Harbor is encouraged to see Council and the Department of Cultural Affairs revisiting the plan.
While progress has been made towards its objectives, there is still much work to do to ensure that all New Yorkers can have access to culture and that artists and cultural workers can build sustainable lives in our city.
Inspired by the original plan, Snug Harbor has revamped recruitment, hiring, and promotion, building a more diverse staff and board of directors, and screens all of our programs for inclusion and accessibility.
We address affordability through artist residencies and free and deeply discounted rental fees for artists, cultural organizations, and community groups.
Since the 2019 action plan was released, visitorship has increased 30%.
This work is ongoing as our goal is a more culturally connected and thriving Staten Island.
The creative sector in New York City is facing major challenges.
Cultural workers earn 23% less than the national average when adjusted for the high cost of living in New York City.
Rising insurance costs in a gig economy make health care unattainable for many.
Housing and workspace is unaffordable for most of our artists and young people.
New York City's resident artist population is declining.
Artists and young people are leaving our city for better quality of life elsewhere.
New York's creative ecosystem is inseparable from our civic identity.
Arts and culture generates over $110 billion annually and employs over 325,000 New Yorkers.
Our sector is a key driver for tourism, which generates an additional $74 billion in economic impact.
New York City does not work without a vibrant cultural sector.
To stem the creative brain drain and ensure a vibrant cultural sector, the city must take action.
Create NYC has largely sat on a shelf over the last six or seven years.
A revitalized plan, well executed, would lead to a more sustainable, diverse, inclusive, and equitable cultural sector.
As originally envisioned.
Snug Harbor applauds City Council, the administration, and the Department of Cultural Affairs for your collective commitment to a health
and vibrant cultural sector.
We are eager to partner with you to ensure that Staten Island plays a role in making our city the center of creativity and innovation that we all know it should be.
Thank you for your time.