Lawmakers, artists and educators are calling on Mayor Eric Adams to boost funding for arts in schools, arguing the pandemic has made it even more vital for students to be able to express themselves through dance, music and visual art.
“No exaggeration, the three chords I learned at McKinley Junior High School took me around the world as a professional musician,” said Council Member Justin Brannan, who chairs the finance committee and was a touring hardcore punk musician before entering politics. “We must end the era of art and music being viewed as ‘extra’ instead of essential instruction. … All New York City public school students deserve a high-quality education with a robust in-house arts and music curriculum.
Now that schools are back in person, Olsen said she’s noticed students who became painfully shy during the pandemic are finding their voices as performers.