Updated July 15, 2024

Arts Workforce

Minimum Wage

New York’s minimum wage has increased for three years with subsequent increases tied to inflation. On January 1, 2024, the minimum wage increased to $16 in New York City and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, and to $15 in all other parts of the State. 

• Review press release on historic agreement to raise NY minimum wage.
• Learn more about New York State’s minimum wage.
• Check out the history of New York State minimum wage
 

Job Listing Transparency

In 2022, The New York City Council voted to adopt Int. 1208, which mandates employers to include in job listings the minimum and maximum salary offered for any position located within New York City. The law went into effect September 2023. Violations constitute an unlawful and discriminatory practice and can be reported to the NYC Human Rights Commission.

•  Learn more about the law and its effects on bridging inequities.
 

Freelance isn’t Free

In 2017, NYC enacted the Freelance isn’t Free Act, which establishes freelance workers’ rights to a written contract, timely and full payment, and protection from retaliation. (In 2023, a statewide version of this legislation was also passed.)

• Review your rights as a freelance worker in NYC.
• Read The Freelancers Union guide to filing a nonpayment claim with the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs.
• Read the city’s 5-Year Report on the effectiveness of the legislation.

 

Arts Organizations

 

NYC Arts and Culture Funding Restored 

After months of negotiation, the City Council has adopted the 2025 Budget, which includes a full $53 million restoration to arts and culture funding. 

This would not have been possible without the advocacy and support of the arts community. Dance/NYC and our partners fought for the $53 million restoration by organizing rallies, sending letters to elected officials, testifying at City Hall meetings, and raising awareness in our communities. This win doesn’t just increase sustainability for New York City arts & culture – it underscores the critical impact of arts advocacy.

• Email your Council Member to thank them for restoring arts and culture funding in 2025’s budget. 
• Sign on to thank the Mayor and Speaker of City Council for prioritizing arts and culture.
• Read and watch Dance/NYC’s testimony to the Cultural Affairs Committee’s final budget hearing
• Read Dance’ NYC’s Testimony to the Cultural Affairs Committee Preliminary Budget Hearing.

 

Open Culture

The New York City Council voted to adopt Int 0590-2022 and make Open Culture a permanent City program. The Open Culture program allows the City to issue permits for eligible arts and cultural organizations to use outdoor spaces for cultural performances.

• The NYC Open Culture Program Resources page is here, from the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment, but has not been updated as yet to reflect the recent legislation.
• Learn more about the past accomplishments in the program and changes from the pandemic era legislation.
 

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit Payment Reform

Review this statement from the Office of the Mayor promising an easier process for nonprofits to be paid on time. 

• Review a letter from the Task Force Co-chairs.
• Learn more about the most burdensome admin processes on NYC nonprofits.
• Visit the Mayor's Office of Nonprofits.

Arts Education

It Starts With the Arts

Review NYC Arts Education Roundtable’s It Starts with The Arts Campaign to get updated on their proposal and advocacy tools for advancing arts education in NYC. 
 

Zoning

New York City Dancing Ban Officially Repealed as Part of Zoning Reforms

On June 6, the New York City Council voted to lift a Prohibition-era dancing ban as part of the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” zoning reforms. Under old zoning laws, social dancing was prohibited in smaller nightlife venues in over 80% of New York City. These laws, through uneven enforcement and burdensome fines, disproportionately impacted marginalized BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and immigrant communities. Now, any commercially-zoned bar or restaurant can have a dance floor, provided it is appropriately sized for the business.

• Review Dance/NYC’s City Council Testimony on the importance of social dancing
• Explore LegalizeDance.Org
• Check out the New York City Council’s Instagram summary

 

Housing

FARE Act

The New York City Council is currently considering the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act, which would end forced broker fees. Under current law, renters often have to pay broker fees when moving into a new apartment, even when it is the landlord who hires the broker. The FARE Act would ensure that tenants would not have to pay fees for a broker they didn’t hire. The FARE Act would boost transparency and housing affordability for all New Yorkers, including dance workers.

• Contact your City Council Member in support of the FARE Act
• Check out City Council Member Ossé’s explainer video
• Review Dance/NYC’s Testimony in support of the FARE ACT

 

Racial Justice

Comission on Racial Justice (CORE)

The NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) recently released its draft Community Equity Priorities. These Community Equity Priorities will inform Racial Equity Plans that all city agencies must adhere to. Please join Dance/NYC by submitting public feedback by August 16 to shape racial equity in NYC government.

The final Community Equity Priorities will impact the city agencies that shape dance workers’ lives. This includes agencies that decide language access for immigrant dance workers, housing access for low-income dance workers, and education access for dance students. It also includes agencies like the Department of Cultural Affairs, which directs the system that determines which cultural organizations get city funding. The Community Equity Priorities are an important platform to advance cultural equity and reduce bias in city decision-making.

What you can do:

• Review the draft Community Equity Priorities and submit feedback by the August 16 deadline.
• Join our first Field-Wide Call of the year on August 14, where we will have a chance to learn more from CORE about the draft priorities and give feedback (registration coming soon).