Nu OriginsLaurie Cumbo (D-Crown Heights) is providing Brooklyn arts programs with investments more than $4 million.
Laurie Cumbo and school leaders from cultural organizations across Brooklyn consider themselves “winners,” celebrating outside the Brooklyn Music School.
The Tuesday press conference on 126 St Felix St. had about 40 people attending, more than Cumbo’s team expected.
The Brooklyn Music School has been independently stable for more than 100 years. However, the much-needed budget will give students more financial support than ever before.
Cumbo isn’t exactly sure how much money she saved in the budget. However, her team told Nu Origins it’s estimated to be more than $400 million.
Cumbo Supports The Arts. Arts Is Everything.
Cumbo is a supporter of the arts. Arguably, Cumbo is the biggest supporter of the arts among New York politicians.
“This is truly a budget we can all be proud of,” Cumbo said. “This year, we secured the largest investment on our part. We secured $400 million in the budget.”
Ironically, a bulk of the $400 million investment isn’t art-related. However, in Cumbo’s opinion, everything is art-related.
Cumbo believes New York City’s foundation is its cultural arts. Her logical conclusion to better New York, she must support the arts.
The investment she secured will provide 285 new guidance counselors in Brooklyn. There will be an extension of the Dept. of Cultural Affairs, $32 million is in the budget to be exact. She also hopes the provide funding to make libraries open 24/7.
Brooklyn Music School Rocks!
The conference was more like a block party as live music rocked the street. The Brooklyn Music School student played and sang songs. Dancers on stilts walked over people with grace to a Jamaica pan drum beat.
The school’s band Kids At Play were playing various hit songs.
Kids At Play
John Peters, a young drummer for Tropical Fete Inc., was playing at the celebration. Although he goes to a different school, the funding from the budget will no doubt help his artistic dreams.
Tropical Fete Inc. is a community-based arts program that provides social services through its Caribbean culture.
Peters has been a drummer for only three years, but he plays like a professional.
Led by programs’ president and founder, Alton Aimable, Peters’ music had Cumbo dancing.
When Cumbo and company said they felt like winners, they spared no expense gloating this financial win.
Piruz Partow, Executive Director at Brooklyn Music School, was thankful for the investment. Prior to the investment, there was no government financial support for the school.
New York Depends On The Arts
With all of the needs of New York City, naysayers attack the idea of supporting the arts. Cumbo’s response to the pessimists is that art is the “economic engine” of New York.
Without the arts, fewer people would come to New York City. If New York had fewer visitors, its landmark traits, businesses, and attractions might’ve not existed.
[The arts are] our job creators, they are our educators, they are the reason why people come to the City of New York,” Cumbo said. “[The arts] support local businesses. They are the reason why people are in hotels. They are the reason why people are in our Ubers. They are the reason why people are in Airbnbs.”
