New York State Summer School of the Arts not in budget — again
State-funded program has allowed young people to study with top artists since 1970
ALBANY — A state-funded program that for 50 years let students from across New York learn from top visual and performing artists has not been included in the proposed state budget for the second consecutive year. Instead of being held as a fourweek program at several colleges, the New York State Summer School of the Arts will offer $150,000 worth of scholarships for students to attend existing regional arts training programs. The status for next year is unclear.
The state Board of Regents and Department of Education sought $2 million in state funding to return NYSSMA to a monthlong, in-person program in summer 2024, and education Commissioner Betty Rosa testified about its importance at last week’s Joint Legislative Elementary & Secondary Education budget hearing.
With NYSSSA not included in Gov. Kathy’s Hochul’s proposed executive budget and uncertainty over whether it can be negotiated into the final budget, due by April 1, “(W)e intend to continue the 2023 summer arts scholarship program in the same manner as last year’s successful program,” the education department said in a statement.
The requested $2 million was broken down as $1 million to operate NYSSSA next summer, $600,000 to support the 2024 Empire State Arts Scholarship Program for middle school and high school students to attend summer arts programs, and $400,000 for staff and administrative costs, according to figures provided by SED.
Alumni, parents and other advocates were dismayed when NYSSSA was not funded last year after disagreement arose over whether it was elitist and did not advance Regents goals of diversity, equity and inclusion. Members of the board clashed over the matter at a meeting last April, though Rosa later insisted that NYSSSA wasn’t included in the budget due to “funding constraints,” not lack of belief in the ongoing validity and value of NYSSSA.
“While we will continue to advocate the Legislature to fund the program, we do not know if it will be included in the enacted budget,” the Department of Education said in its statement this week.
NYSSSA had schools in seven disciplines: ballet, modern dance, choral studies, orchestral studies, theater, visual arts and media arts. The ballet, modern dance and orchestra programs were typically held at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs each summer, with school directors and teachers coming from the ranks of the New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra and prominent dance companies presented as part of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center season. Other programs have been based at SUNY’S Fredonia, Delhi and Alfred State colleges in recent years.