Community Corner 

HAPPENINGS, EVENTS & ISSUES AFFECTING OFF-OFF-BROADWAY

WHAT'S NEXT

• Tax Abatement Proposal that benefits OOB
  The Community Boards are hammering out a proposal to present to city officials regarding a tax abatement to landlords who provide either free or significantly discounted rent to not-for-profit arts organizations.
  
  The task forces that put this proposal together need your support. Learn more.
  

• Governor to Cut Arts Funding
  Governor Patterson's recently released budget slashes New York State's arts funding by more than 15%.  While this money represents a minuscule portion of the State's overall budget, it is the life blood of arts organizations across the state. What can you do?  Write to your state Legislator and let them know how important the arts are to you and your community and consider attending Arts Day in Albany to tell them in person.
  

• Hudson Rail Yards
  As a direct result of Manhattan Community Board 4's working with The Related Companies, the NYC City Council and concerned members of the community, 16,000 sq. ft. of cultural performing art space will be created within the confines of the Hudson Yards Project.   Read more about it.
  
  

• Open Source Ticketing for OOB
  Fractured Atlas is creating an open source ticketing service that will allow OOB theatre companies to sell tickets on their own terms and for free. The system and the infrastructure to support the system are currently in development. Fractured Atlas is encouraging people to follow their progress and provide feedback at athena.fracturedatlas.org.
  

  
  
• Tax Deductions for Artistic Services
  Americans for the Arts is working on several tax issues. The one that applies most directly and exclusively to the arts is a proposal to allow artists to claim a deduction for the full value of certain donated works. Under current law, they may deduct only the cost of materials.This does not specifically apply to performing artists yet, but it is the groundwork for the donation of artistic services as well. You can let your representatives know your thoughts.
  
  

• Artists Need to be Counted in US Census
  The United States Department of Commerce will be conducting the 2010 Census, which will find out how many people live in New York City, how many elected representatives we will have in Congress, determine who will represent you in the City Council and in the New York State Legislature, determine how much funding we will receive from the federal government for education, healthcare, job training, transportation, senior services, and other critical services important to all New Yorkers.
  
  New York City artists need to participate to ensure that we get our fair share of funding from the federal government to improve schools and healthcare, fight crime, repair roads, and support other critical City services for all New Yorkers.
  
  Take a moment now to complete the Census form.
  
  
  
• Cultural Data Project
  The Pew Charitable Trusts is about to launch the Cultural Data Project (CDP) in New York State.  This project emerged out of a common need for more robust research, advocacy and policy discussions with and about the cultural sector. Find out more at the CDP website.
  
  Also NYSCA who is a part of the task force for this project is interested in hearing about how you feel this project could benefit you and your organizations. Please send your feedback to NYSCA program staff at cdp@nysca.org.
  
  
• Mark your calendars, April 12-13, 2010 for National Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.  The cooperative efforts of many arts advocacy organizations lead to some real change this year. We can keep building on this positive momentum. More information to follow soon.
  
  
  

WHAT HAPPENED

Federal Funding for the Arts
On October 29th, Congress passed a $12.5 million funding increase as part of the FY 2010 Interior Appropriations bill for both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The bill passed the House by a vote of 247 - 178 and in the Senate it passed by a vote of 72 - 28.  As a culmination of National Arts and Humanities Month, President Obama signed the bill into law on October 31. The nation's two federal grantmaking cultural agencies now each have budgets of $167.5 million, their highest funding levels in 16 years. As so many state and local governments have had to cut arts budgets across the country, this well-timed federal appropriations increase for the arts is a welcome infusion of funds.

Free Night of Theatre
October 15th in Union Square The League of Independent Theatre curated the opening event for Free Night of Theatre. Many Independent artists shined alongside some of the legends of our craft. It was a moving and powerful gathering of the theater community and many politicians. The week that followed introduced hundreds of new audience members to theatre in NYC and especially OOB.  We will let you know when the final reports are available. 

1st Annual Indie Theatre Midsummer Classic
Was a new tradition started? What will hopefully become an annual softball game and picnic was held on Sunday, July 26, 2009. OOBers gathered to socialize, celebrate the summer and hit a few ground balls.

Space for OOB in the Hudson Rail Yards
The Theater Task Force of Community Board 4, recently provided recommendations to be included in the full Board's mandated Comments and Recommendations Section (over 100 pages) of the City's official response to the plans submitted by The Related Companies, the developer of the Western Rail Yards (WRY) - The "Hudson Yards" Project which will be located on the far west side of Manhattan in the low '30's. Space for small theatre was a priority in those recommendations.

Reports on NYC's Performing Arts Community
To help accurately gauge just how deeply the performing arts community in NYC has been impacted by the current economic climate, NYC Performing Art Spaces has created 2 reports based on their recent surveys. Their findings show that "Performing artists, especially musicians, have fewer bookings and less funding. As for facilities, although 45% had increased bookings over 2008, overall only 35% were booked 75% or more; while expenses increased for more than half the respondents, 67% kept their rental rates the same."

City Capital Funds Awarded
ABC No Rio, a long-time Lower East Side non-profit arts institution just received major capital funding from The City of New York as a result of the efforts of Council Member Alan J. Gerson and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, with additional important support from the entire Manhattan City Council Delegation.

This is a  significant step because substantial city capital funds are being used to restore a long term, cultural arts facility that is not City owned, has a small operating budget, large volunteer base, serves and sustains a community rooted in LES cultural and artist traditions. ABC No Rio raised $500,000 in many small benefits and have a well developed plan with competent architect, Executive.Director and Management team in place.

New Digs for LES Arts Org, By Brigid Bergin and Isaac-Davy Aronson
Punk Institution Receives City Money for New Building, By Colin Moynihan 6/28/09

Smack Down
On May 13, 2009 The Field and Galaposos Arts Space hosted The New Economy Smack Down. Local artists and arts organizations engaged in heated conversations about the economy, space for the arts, funding and so much more.

Community Boards
Following the Public Forum hosted by Community Boards 1 through 5 in February, the CBs have stayed true to their promise to make small to mid-sized theatre a priority in their neighborhoods.

• Once a year all of New York's Community Boards submit a list of their District "Needs" to the City. This year, the Arts and Theater Tasks Forces of CB3 and CB4 worked together in crafting their texts which included strong support for small theatre and arts spaces.
• CB3 passed resolutions supporting small theatre. 
• CB4 sent a letter to Governor Paterson asking him to restore 100% of the funds to NYSCA.
• CB5 passed resolutions to support small theatre.
• CB5 passes letter to the Mayor and members of the City Council urging them to provide funding for arts in education.
  

As always, all Community Board Meetings are open to the public and your attendance is encouraged.

And keep checking back for updates to these and other important developments.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Check out the COMMUNITY ACTION page for ways that you can make a difference now.