Boo, gov, boo!
Artists slam funding plan, say tax the rich
ALBANY — Groups representing freelance artists and musicians facing dire straits due to the COVID pandemic are panning Gov. Cuomo’s plan to revitalize New York’s art scene by holding star-studded “popup shows” across the state.
The Freelancers Union, the Union of Musicians and Allied Workers, the League of Independent Theater and the Music Workers Alliance are calling on the governor to instead raise taxes on the wealthy and create a new Works Progress Administration that could support artists and help get them back to work.
“New York’s performing artists don’t need livestream concerts and comedy shows — we need you to end tax breaks for the wealthy and fund our state so we can survive,” the groups wrote in a letter sent to Cuomo.
As part of his State of the State rollout, the governor announced
Tuesday that the state is forming the New York Arts Revival, a public/private partnership meant to kick-start the arts industry through popup performances and events slated to begin next month.
Cuomo said the shows will feature marquee names including Wynton Marsalis, Amy Schumer, Chris Rock and Hugh Jackman and take place at venues including the Park Avenue Armory, St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn and the Queens Theater.
The governor, whose plan to revive live performances relies heavily on expanding rapid coronavirus testing, said that the industry simply cannot wait until summer as vaccinations continue.
“Cities are, by definition, centers of energy, entertainment, theater and cuisine,” Cuomo said during his virtual address on Tuesday. “Without that activity and attraction, cities lose much of their appeal. What is a city without social, cultural and creative synergies? New York City is not New York without Broadway.”
The state is also partnering with the Mellon Foundation to distribute grants that could put more than 1,000 artists back to work and provide money to community arts groups.
Cuomo’s plan drew praise from the likes of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, the Meatpacking Business Improvement District and the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802.
“We are glad that we are starting to see leadership speak up about the important issues of the arts here in New York and the fundamental partnership between our community and society here in New York and what the arts do and what we contribute to the economy,” said Adam Krauthamer, president and executive director of Local 802.
Still, the organizations behind the letter, representing roughly 200,000 artists and musicians, believe the Empire State can do more.
The groups note that over 50% of New York’s freelancers work in entertainment and that 71% of musicians have lost more than three-quarters of their income since the pandemic began.
“We need funding for the countless artists who have been excluded from state and federal aid,” they wrote. “And you know how to find the funding. By ending tax breaks for the rich, you can raise $50 billion in new revenue to raise funds that will support the many communities that make our city thrive — including artists.
“These funds will not only keep the performing arts community afloat, but ensure that all New Yorkers can live a life of dignity and safety,” they added.
Cuomo senior adviser Rich Azzopardi pushed back on the criticism.
“This is New York, no matter what you do and what you propose there will always be fringe opposition from letter writers — but this proposal to get our artists back to work and jumpstart our worldclass arts scene has had a nearly universally positive response,” he said.