Judith Insell, the executive director of the Bronx Arts Ensemble, was shocked when she learned in February that she would not be receiving any City Hall funding for the rest of the fiscal year due to budget cuts.

“I was preparing for a 15% cut, but not a 100% cut,” Insell said.

What You Need To Know

  • Many arts and culture institutions have had to significantly reduce programming amid budget cuts
  • One of those nonprofits has been the Bronx Arts Ensemble, which was founded in 1972
  • In February, the organization learned it would not receive any further funding from City Hall during this fiscal year
  • Judith Insell, the executive director of the program, said her nonprofit offers more than just concerts, and is an economic engine for the local community

The Bronx Arts Ensemble was founded in 1972 by professional classical musicians. And for over 40 years, the organization has received funding through the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs.

The nonprofit brings music and arts education to Bronx communities, and offers free performances to New Yorkers.

“The letter came, and it said that we are not receiving any funds and I was completely shocked,” Insell said. “It was kind of inconceivable to me. I had to read the letter a few times because I thought, 'How could this be happening?' We are serving Bronx communities for so long. Our performances are free.”

News of the complete loss of funds from City Hall came eight months into the fiscal year. Insell said that normally, the Bronx Arts Ensemble puts on 20 concerts in the spring, but has had to cut back to 10.

Overall, the Department of Cultural Affairs has been reduced by more than $25 million over the last two rounds of budget cuts. Insell, along with other leaders and advocates, plans to testify Tuesday at a City Council hearing examining the cuts.

City Councilmember Carlina Rivera, who chairs the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations, plans to ask City Hall on Tuesday about restoring funds to the department.

“It is a no-brainer that we need every single dollar that has been cut since last fall, and especially with the timing of it all. It's not fair to these institutions that continue to produce,” Rivera said. 

City Hall is pushing back against the criticism. Deputy Press Secretary Amaris Cockfield said in a statement Monday that the city has invested more than $52 million in more than 1,000 nonprofits this year.

“With responsible, effective fiscal management, we have repeatedly protected cultural organizations from budget cuts and will continue to support this vital sector,” Cockfield said in a statement Monday.

Amid the cuts, the Bronx Arts Ensemble was still able to hold a concert Sunday with the New York Philharmonic at the University of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx.

But concerts like that one could become scarce without city funds. 

“If we continue to get cut more and more, it will start to be obvious to the New Yorkers that things are starting to disappear that they were counting on as far as filling their lives with art and culture,” Insell said.

Insell told Spectrum News NY1 that the nonprofit is able to operate for the rest of the fiscal year using City Council funding and private donations, but they are hoping they will be able to get more funding next year.