NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7737
SPONSOR: Kim TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the arts and cultural affairs law and the economic
development law, in relation to creating the arts and cultural district
PURPOSE:
Relates to developing criteria and guidelines for state designated arts
and cultural districts
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Requires the Council of the Arts to develop guidelines for state-desig-
nated arts and cultural districts, which shall be designated as such
upon application and approval if such a proposed district meets one of
several criteria for economic development and positive community impact.
A district may be within one municipality, or cross municipal lines
based upon the nature of the district. Once certified as a state-desig-
nated arts and cultural district, such districts shall receive various
development opportunities, technical assistance, and marketing guidance.
JUSTIFICATION:
There are many areas within the state that have specific artistic or
cultural value and appeal, including geographic areas with a concen-
tration of art, artists, or general places of cultural significance.
These clusters provide significant economic and quality of life value to
the local community or have the potential to do so if additional
resources were available. This legislation would create a state-certi-
fied "arts and cultural district" designation, allowing municipalities
to apply for designation for areas of such clustering of art and
cultural institutions and to receive state assistance. For a designated
district, the Council of the Arts and the Empire State Development
Corporation would provide, among other things, technical assistance in
applying for grants, marketing expertise, guides for finding additional
state resources, increased tourism opportunities, and other state
resources and economic development opportunities. By certifying and
assisting these specialized districts, the state will help struggling
municipalities benefit from their artistic and cultural strengths.
Whether a concentration of museums, large number of artistic residences,
or historic sites with artistic or cultural value, many municipalities
have untapped potential, and the state should encourage the growth and
development of these special places.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S253A- Passed Senate. Passed Assembly. Delivered to Governor.
Vetoed Memo.125
2022: S1358-A - Passed Senate.
2021: S1358 - Cultural Affairs Committee.
2020: S1425 - Cultural Affairs Committee.
2019: S1425 - Advanced to Third Reading.
2017 - 2018: S3108 - Passed Senate.
2016: S6271A - Passed Senate.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
120 days after becoming a law.
