As a cultural institution, Signature Theatre is invested in how the budget of the city of New York is spent. Our mission is to support writers and our core values are built on access. Therefore, we believe investments in cultural and service organizations are true investments in the life and well-being of the people of New York, and we are deeply concerned for their safety.

Signature Theatre is part of a community of theatres for #NYCBudgetJustice, inspired by the work of Communities United for Police Reform, a membership organization that has long been leading the fight for budget justice and which is supported by the Ford Foundation. We are proud to be following their lead. A list of other theaters joining this cause is below.

A city budget is demonstrative of a city’s values. The NYC executive budget as it currently stands does not adequately reflect values of safety, health, and recovery, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and the rampant police brutality that has shaken our city to its core.

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Executive Budget proposal for the 2021 fiscal year calls for drastic cuts to essential social services and arts and cultural organizations with only a .32% cut to the New York Police Department. He has since stated that he will make cuts to NYPD, but has not specified or defined to what extent.

Before the NYC budget is put into effect on July 1, we encourage you to contact your city council members and the Mayor’s office to demand that the NYPD budget is reduced, and that our city reinvest in our cultural and service organizations. If you are interested in joining us in advocating for budget justice, here are helpful resources.
 

Theatres for #NYCBudgetJustice:

Abrons Art Center, Ars Nova, Beth Morrison Projects, Bushwick Starr, Clubbed Thumb, Dixon Place, The Foundry Theatre, HERE, La Mama, Ma-Yi Theatre, Mabou Mines, National Black Theater, Nature's Darlings, New Georges, The New Group, New Ohio Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, The Movement Theatre Company, Performance Space New York, Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theater, Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, Signature Theatre, Soho Rep, St. Ann's Warehouse, Tandem Otter, Target Margin, Vineyard Theatre, WP Theater