THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS (DCLA), THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER
AFFAIRS (DCA) OFFICE OF FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT (OFE), AND BEDFORD
STUYVESANT RESTORATION CORPORAITON HOST "THE ART OF MONEY: PERSONAL
FINANCE RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS"
Third Financial Literacy Event Will Educate and Empower New York City
Artists and Independent Workers To Manage Their Finances
On Saturday, May 14, 2011, the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) and
the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Office of Financial Empowerment
(OFE), in partnership with the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration
Corporation (Restoration), will host the third "The Art of Money:
Personal Financial Resources for Artists" event. The program will take
place from noon to 5PM at the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration
Corporation, 1368 Fulton Street (at New York Avenue), followed by a
Networking Reception from 5PM-7PM at the Skylight Gallery on
Restoration’s third floor. The event will offer free financial workshops
tailored to more than 200 artists and independent workers in all fields,
as well as one-on-one financial counseling sessions at the NYC Financial
Empowerment Center at Restoration, and an exhibitor fair featuring arts
service organizations from across New York City. All activities will
take place on Restoration’s campus.
"New York City’s energy and its creative identity come from the talent
and strength of our artists," said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D.
Levin. "That’s why my agency and our colleagues at the Department of
Consumer Affairs partnered to develop a financial literacy program
tailored to the challenges facing arts professionals in the financial
downturn. Following the success of the first two Art of Money events in
Harlem and Long Island City, we are pleased to present the third
iteration of this collaborative effort in Brooklyn to improve the
financial skills of artists and independent workers."
"Artists and independent workers are essential to New York City but,
especially in today’s economy, so many are facing financial difficulty,"
said Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz. "Just this week we
celebrated our 10,000th Financial Empowerment Center client who is a
freelance graphic designer and had thousands of dollars in debt. Today,
thanks to the help of our counselor, she is debt free and in control of
her and her family’s finances. With the help of DCLA, ‘The Art of
Money’ helps artists and independent workers take control of their
finances."
"Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation is committed to supporting
the work and financial development of artists," said Restoration
President Colvin W. Grannum. "Through our Center for Arts and Culture,
our Financial Empowerment Center, and many other programs, our campus is
a major resource for Brooklyn residents to participate in the arts and
receive essential financial guidance. We hope that the skills learned at
this event will help attendees, and we invite guests to return and
utilize our services."
The event will begin with a welcome ceremony at 12:15 pm. Speakers will
include Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, Brooklyn Borough
President Marty Markowitz, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
President Colvin Grannum, New York City Council Member and Chair of the
Finance Committee Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Chair of New York State
Council on the Arts and artist Danny Simmons, and Director of
Legislative Affairs for Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, Matthew Wallace.
"Artists were among the pioneers in Brooklyn’s development as a cultural
powerhouse," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.
"Brooklyn’s diversity and history provide great inspiration to our
artists and their energy and dynamism help make our borough the hottest
place to live, work and play in New York. Artists are just like everyone
else – they need financial stability to continue their craft. These
workshops are a tremendous resource for artists and independent workers
of all stripes."
"Artists need time to focus on their work, and that’s why these
financial workshops are so important," said Councilman Domenic M.
Recchia, Jr., chairman of the City Council Finance Committee. "By giving
artists and arts organizations the tools they need to navigate the
financial end of their profession, we can help them continue to produce
the amazing work that makes New York City the world’s top cultural
destination."
"As Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries &
International Intergroup Relations, I have advocated for financial
education and resources to empower artists and independent workers. Art
of Money provides valuable workshops, resources and information for
artists and independent workers. I applaud the Department of Cultural
Affairs, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and the Department
of Consumer Affairs Office for their tireless efforts to create this
program," said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.
"A healthy arts sector is critical to New York’s vitality as a cultural
mecca," said Danny Simmons, Chair of the New York State Council on the
Arts and Artist. "Artists are the bedrock of the arts sector, so the
City of New York is wise to support this community through the Art of
Money finance fair. I hope that the tools learned at this event will
educate and inspire artists to improve their business practices, thereby
expanding their ability to create and share their gifts with audiences."
The Art of Money will have five workshops with topics that include
accessing and using credit, reducing existing debt, planning for the
highs and low of irregular income streams, and home ownership and the
mortgage process. Attendees can sign up for first-come, first-served,
one-on-one financial consultations with financial counselors from the
NYC Financial Empowerment Center. An exhibitor fair will feature
representatives from organizations that provide services to support
creative work. Exhibitors include:
* ArtHome
* Arts & Business Council
* Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
* Bedford-Stuyvesant Artists’ Association
* Bedford-Stuyvesant Community Legal Services
* Brooklyn Arts Council
* Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union
* Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford Stuyvesant
* Dance/USA
* Department of Cultural Affairs
* Education Affiliates Credit Union
* Fractured Atlas
* New York Foundation for the Arts
* Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access/Hi Link
* Pratt Area Community Council
* Restoration’s Center for Arts and Culture
* Rocket Hub
* The Field
* Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO)
The Art of Money: Personal Financial Resources for Artists is presented
in collaboration the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, the
nation’s first community development corporation, which partners with
residents and businesses to improve the quality of life of Central
Brooklyn by fostering economic self sufficiency, enhancing family
stability and growth, promoting the arts and culture and transforming
the neighborhood into a safe, vibrant place to live, work and visit.
This event marks the third Art of Money: Personal Finance Resources
program presented by the City of New York. In 2009, the Departments of
Cultural Affairs and Consumer Affairs partnered to develop a free
financial literacy program geared towards artists who rely on credit to
produce their work and were hard hit at the start of the financial
downturn. The first event was held in May 2010 at the Dwyer Cultural
Center in Harlem. The second event-organized in partnership with Council
Member Jimmy Van Bramer-took place in September 2010 at the LaGuardia
Community College Performing Arts Center in Long Island City. Art of
Money workshops are tailored to the financial challenges of workers with
irregular income streams. More than 350 artists and independent workers
have attended Art of Money events, and the May 14th program is
anticipated to draw over 250 attendees. More information about the Art
of Money is available at nyc.gov/artofmoney
<http://www.nyc.gov/artofmoney> .
About the Department of Cultural Affairs
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs is the largest funder
of the arts in the United States. The agency supports more than 900
cultural organizations through $144 million in annual program and
operating support, and has committed more than $600 million in capital
funding for 190 institutions over the next four years. The agency also
supports the City’s cultural community through extensive technical
assistance and advocacy, working closely with the field to articulate
the profound impact of culture on New York City’s quality of life and
its economy. For more information, visit nyc.gov/culture
<http://www.nyc.gov/culture> .
About the Department of Consumer Affairs
DCA enforces the Consumer Protection Law and other related business laws
throughout New York City. Empowering consumers and businesses to ensure
a fair and vibrant marketplace, DCA licenses more than 78,000 businesses
in 55 different industries. Through targeted outreach, partnerships with
community and trade organizations, and informational materials, DCA
educates consumers and businesses alike about their rights and
responsibilities. DCA’s Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) is the
first local government initiative in the nation with a mission to
educate, empower, and protect New Yorkers with low incomes so they can
build assets and make the most of their financial resources. Toward that
end, OFE seeks to increase access to high-quality, low-cost financial
education and counseling; improve access to income-boosting tax credits;
connect households to safe and affordable banking and asset-building
products and services; and enforce and improve consumer protections to
enhance financial stability. For more information, call 311 or visit
DCA online at nyc.gov/consumers. Follow us on Twitter
<http://www.twitter.com/nycdca> and find us on Facebook
<http://www.facebook.com/nycdca> .
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CONTACT:
Danai Pointer/Ryan Max (Cultural Affairs)
(212) 513-9322
Kay Sarlin/Abigail Lootens (DCA)
(212) 487-4283
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