Res. No. 225
Title
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to introduce and adopt, and the Governor to sign, legislation which would authorize the New York City to establish a Small Performance Venue Business Tax Credit.
Body
By Council Member Van Bramer
Whereas, No other city in the country currently comes close to competing with New York City's rich, vibrant, and diverse music scene; and
Whereas, New York City is home to a plethora of famous musicians and bands such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, The Velvet Underground, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara Streisand, Paul Simon, and the Talking Heads, just to name a few; and
Whereas, The majority of these now world-renowned musicians and bands started their careers performing in the City's small performance venues which provide a unique opportunity for unknown musicians to practice their art in front of live audiences in an affordable and acoustically supportive space; and
Whereas, Small to mid-sized non-profit theaters (venues with a public assembly of 250 persons or less) and performing arts organizations groups add both cultural and economic value to New York City's communities, and to the city as a whole; and
Whereas, The current economic climate, coupled with skyrocketing costs of lease space, however, has made it extraordinarily difficult for many theaters and performing arts companies to stay in business in New York City; and
Whereas, Many small to mid-sized performing arts groups hold long-term leases and usually sublet their spaces to other performing arts groups that do not have the financial strength to commit to long-term leases; and
Whereas, Accordingly, when long-term lease holders leave the City, the groups to which they provide space are endangered thereby diminishing the entire sector; and
Whereas, Since 2005, New Yorkers have witnessed the closing of Tonic, a nightclub tucked away on the Lower East Side known for its...
Click here for full text