The NYSSSA Advocate has all the pressing news and program developments straight from Albany regarding the New York State Summer Schools of the Arts.
Our Advocate community also highlights the accomplishments of the artists- at all levels- who have participated in our Summer Schools, support their life-long artistic development, and the promote the furtherance of arts education.
09/05/2023
New Yorkers Campaign to Save 50-Year-Old Summer Arts Program Community members fear that the historic New York State Summer School of the Arts may soon be replaced with a less equitable grant program.
09/29/2022
A Utopian Space for Black Artists, Reimagined at MoMA Just Above Midtown, an incubator of some of the most important Black avant-garde art of the 1970s and ’80s, is the subject of a new exhibition.
04/12/2022
NYSSSA is not included in the 2022-2023 budget, but the fight is not over!
First Governor Hochul says they have no $$$, then she gives $600 million to a Football stadium, now she (& NYSED) are saying NYSSSA is not diverse enough!? Read the article in the Times Union for the latest on NYSSSA. Click on the change.org link for more information.
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/State-Education-officials-Prestigious-summer-17072298.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral
The fight is not over yet! NYSSSA did NOT make it into the 2022/2023 budget... (page 120&121) SED Government Relations notified us this morning that: "The Legislature and Governor, unfortunately, did not include any additional funding/the requested $2M for the NYSSSA for summer 2023 in the enacted budget." So in essence,....
04/11/2022
UPDATE!
this weekend, the NYS legislature voted on and passed the proposed budget from the Governor. THIS BUDGET DID NOT INCLUDE NYSSSA FOR 2023!
Here is what we heard from government relations: “The Legislature and Governor, unfortunately, did not include any additional funding/the requested $2M for the NYSSSA for summer 2023 in the enacted budget.”
We are not giving up. Earlier today, Regent Tilles advocated on behalf of the NYSSSA program. Sadly, Commissioner Rosa addressed the issue with misinformation. Many key leaders of the NYSSSA advocacy initiative sent to legislators, regents, and leaders of he many New York arts organizations. You can view this letter here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qPQIa79Z3yNtNDdFqYcBxeaEuh4uTasY
Watch the open livestreams of the Board of Regents: https://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings
As we understand it, funding for NYSSSA can still be allocate from other areas of the State Education Department. Now is the time, call and email your board of regents, the commissioner and deputy commissioners for education, to ensure that students continue to have access to this arts education.
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04/09/2022
The deadline for the NYS budget passed but it still hasn’t been voted on. We are not giving up on this life changing opportunity for students. Keep reaching out to legislators and ask them to include NYSSSA in the budget for summer 2023!
In the meantime, check out this video on news 12 in Westchester
Former students of now-defunded NY state summer school arts program worried over its future NYSSA has been the camp for high school students with a passion for music and performance for 50 summers.
04/07/2022
Thank you NYSSMA for helping to advocate for the students past and future at NYSSSA!
Call to Action! NYSSMA® Advocates for the NYS Summer School of the Arts – New York State School Music Association Call to Action! NYSSMA® Advocates for the NYS Summer School of the Arts Posted on April 6, 2022 April 2022 Dear Arts Advocate, As president of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), I would like to encourage you to join me in advocating for and garnering support from all NYS Arts Edu...
03/31/2022
Do you want to call on behalf of NYSSSA but you don’t know what to say or where to start?
Use this script!
03/30/2022
Did you know that NYSSSA is not a "summer camp" or a program only for those with financial capabilities to attend the program? 33% of our students receive tuition aid, and of that number, three-quarters receive full aid. NYSSSA ensures access to its program for students who pass both an application process and an audition/portfolio round, without regard to economic, cultural, demographic, or racial backgrounds. Don't let this 50 year program sink!
03/30/2022
What makes NYSSSA great? A critical key to NYSSSA’s success is the State’s partnership with some of the world’s greatest artists and cultural institutions, such as the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (S**C), the Chautauqua Institute and the late Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson. Students make these connections early on which make meaningful, lifelong impacts on their development as artists.