Res. No. 1215
Resolution declaring the first week of October as “Arts Advocacy Week in Harlem.”
By Council Members Dickens, Recchia Jr., Brewer, Fidler, Gonzalez, Sanders Jr., Seabrook, Weprin and White Jr.
Whereas, Harlem is an arts and cultural center of New York City and is also considered the cultural capital of Black America; and
Whereas, The Harlem Arts Alliance, an arts advocacy organization comprised of 400 individual artist and arts organizations, launched the first annual advocacy event called “Arts Advocacy in Harlem” in September 2007; and
Whereas, Arts Advocacy in Harlem was a week long event addressing critical issues and challenges that face arts and cultural institutions as well as creative artists in Harlem and in communities of color across the City; and
Whereas, According to the Harlem Alliance, individual artists and arts organizations in Harlem are struggling, smaller arts groups are fighting for survival, and the cultural legacy of Harlem is at stake; and
Whereas, The Harlem Arts Alliance indicates that although news headlines report robust real estate sales in Harlem and the impact on individuals that have been longtime residents of the neighborhood, the reports fail to address the impact such developments have had on the arts and culture of Harlem; and
Whereas, Through the collaboration of artists, arts and cultural organizations, arts enthusiasts, arts advocates, and elected officials, Arts Advocacy in Harlem provided an opportunity and forum for the concerns of the Harlem arts community to be heard; and
Whereas, It is imperative to sustain the historical, present, and future cultural integrity of Harlem; and
Whereas, Arts Advocacy in Harlem coincides with National Arts and Humanities month, which is celebrated in October; and
Whereas, The Harlem Arts Alliance will hold the next “Arts Advocacy in Harlem” in October 2008; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York declares the first week of October as “Arts Advocacy Week in Harlem.”
LS# 4134
S.O.
1/23/08
3:19pm