Administered by Arts Services Inc.

DEADLINE: Please submit your response no later than Monday, August 14, 2023 by 5PM.
The City of Buffalo is widely viewed as being in the midst of a renaissance, while it is also noted that for many citizens and neighborhoods significant challenges remain. As both a key contributor to the former, and a key resource for the latter, arts and culture plays a significant and unique role in Buffalo's health and future. Numerous studies and reports have shown:

  • The not for profit cultural sector and its audience in Western New York has an annual economic impact of $352.1 million dollars (Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Report*);
  • This sector generates $40.3 million in local and state tax revenue (Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Report*);
  • Arts education helps children develop higher level skills such as critical thinking and problem solving;
  • The arts have a positive impact on the development of local communities and social networks;
  • The arts contribute to innovation within a community;
  • Arts and culture is a key component of Visit Buffalo Niagara’s tourism efforts and a frequent lead mention in national and international stories about the community; and
  • Cultural amenities are utilized in the attraction and retention of new economy businesses and knowledge workers to the region.

The City of Buffalo should serve as a supporter of the arts sector in numerous ways. As is clearly shown above, this support benefits the people of Buffalo, those visiting the area, businesses located here, and government itself. Our Common Council play a key role in government and decision making, and therefore we ask candidates their thoughts on these issues.

*A complete and detailed Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Report can be found at www.asiwny.org/arts-economic-prosperity-report 

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 will be released in late Fall 2023 with updated WNY arts sector data.

Question Title

* 1. Name

Question Title

* 2. Office Sought

Question Title

* 3. Current Occupation & Employer

Question Title

* 4. Would you support a reinstatement of dedicated arts funding in the City of Buffalo, as per the City of Buffalo Arts Commission's 2023 request, including $400,000 for arts organizations’ operating expenses?

Question Title

* 5. Would you support continued funding for the $10,000 operating budget for the Buffalo Arts Commission on an annual basis?

Question Title

* 6. To uphold the original intent of the City's ARP recovery funds, will you allow nonprofit arts organizations to access the small business grants?

T