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Staten Island cultural institutions urge borough support to sustain programs and capital needs
Summary
A coalition of five cultural institutions told the Borough Board they collectively serve hundreds of thousands of visitors and need continued FY26 operational and capital funding to maintain exhibitions, HVAC upgrades, accessibility and school programs.
Representatives of five major Staten Island cultural institutions urged the Borough Board to continue and expand support for operating and capital needs in fiscal 2026.
Jessica Phillips, CEO of Historic Richmond Town and vice chair of the Staten Island Cultural Institution Group, told the board the coalition — Historic Richmond Town, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, Staten Island Museum, Staten Island Children's Museum and Staten Island Zoo — collectively serves roughly 800,000 visitors a year and provides extensive education and community programming. “Together, we serve as a piece of the cultural backbone of Staten Island,” Phillips said.
Phillips highlighted recent capital work and upcoming projects that the institutions say require continued investment. She cited a $6.5 million HVAC upgrade at the Staten Island Children's Museum that enabled a reopening and attendance gains, and described planned exhibit expansions, a STEM education center at the Staten Island Museum and a sensory‑focused redesign at the Zoo called Forest Trek.
Board members and staff discussed fiscal year timing and billing constraints for multi‑month projects; the presenter noted the borough can only expend funds up to June 30 for the current fiscal year and that multi‑month events may require proration. No formal funding votes took place at the morning session.
