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Staten Island cultural institutions urge baseline city investment and capital‑project fixes for FY27
Summary
Jessica Baker Bedor, speaking for six Staten Island cultural institutions, asked the borough board to baseline a $30 million post‑budget investment, provide cost‑of‑living increases for cultural organizations and accelerate capital project execution for stalled restorations, arguing that the cultural sector has large educational and economic reach across the borough.
Jessica Baker Bedor, president and CEO of Smith Harbor Cultural Center and Staten Island vice chair of the Cultural Institutions Group, presented on behalf of six institutions and asked the borough board to support sustained operational and capital investment for fiscal 2027.
Bedor said the group provides education and cultural programs that serve thousands of children and families and creates full‑time jobs for the borough. She highlighted a $30,000,000 investment that was made post‑budget last year and urged the board to baseline similar investments; she also asked for a cost‑of‑living increase to help member organizations retain staff amid rising operating costs.
The presentation included institution‑by‑institution needs: Historic Richmond Town seeks capital funding to maintain a 100‑acre campus and steward over 60,000 artifacts; the Noble Maritime Collection requested capital support for an urgent chiller and air‑handling replacement; the Staten Island Children's Museum seeks city partnership for new exhibits and exterior resiliency work; Staten Island Museum described a planned STEAM center expansion and exterior restoration needs; and the Staten Island Zoo requested support to sustain educational programs serving tens of thousands of students and to maintain animal care and exhibits.
Bedor emphasized the cultural sector's economic impact and noted that the Department of Cultural Affairs receives a small share of the city's budget; she asked the board to prioritize both operational increases and capital‑project execution so institutions can deliver programs and preserve facilities.
The board did not make funding decisions during the consultation; presenters offered to meet with staff and provide detailed capital scopes and cost estimates.
