Assemblymembers Lorena Gonzalez and Christy Smith announce they will seek a $20 million investment in small budget arts organizations to aid in AB5 compliance in California State Budget 2020-21

 

February 7, 2020

For Immediate Release

Assemblymembers Lorena Gonzalez and Christy Smith announce they will seek a $20 million investment in small budget arts organizations to aid in AB5 compliance in California State Budget 2020-21

On February 6, in a letter issued to the Assembly Committee on Budget, California Assemblywomen Lorena Gonzalez and Christy Smith requested a one-time allocation of $20 million in the 2020-21 state budget to the California Arts Council for the administration of a grants program serving small budget non-profit arts organizations that make a good faith effort to comply with AB5.

“Since the bill’s passage, we have been working to educate both the legislature and the field around the impact of AB5 on the state’s arts sector. While we move forward with efforts to address the impact that AB5 has had on our arts and creative community, we are delighted to see that both Assemblywomen Gonzalez and Smith see the importance of investing in small arts and cultural nonprofit organizations that have limited resources to respond to AB5,” said Julie Baker, Executive Director of Californians for the Arts and California Arts Advocates.

"We also want to thank Actors Equity for being such strong allies in addressing the need for funding and we look forward to working with them to see ongoing and increased investment in arts, culture and creativity in California," said Victoria L. Hamilton, President of Californians for the Arts and California Arts Advocates Board of Directors.

On February 5, Baker was invited to make a presentation to the California Arts Council at their public meeting on "New California Employment Laws and Recommendations Based on the Needs of the Field”.

The Council was also presented with a letter recommending emergency grant funds to aid in the process for artists and arts organizations to be in compliance with AB5. The Council’s Program Policy committee agreed to move forward with reviewing criteria for the funds proposed and will bring forward their recommendations at the next public meeting on April 1, 2020.

Baker adds, “The $20 million budget allocation would be a tremendous help for small budget arts organizations but the budget vote is not until June and then it would take months for the grants programs to be designed and implemented. We see an urgent need for emergency funds to be made available as soon as possible as we receive daily reports of organizations reducing programming or closing their doors altogether as they do not have the funds available to be in compliance with AB5. This results in fewer opportunities for work in our sector and fewer arts programs in our communities. For many organizations, to comply with AB5 means increasing operating costs by 30-40% and sometimes far more and their seasons are already announced. These groups need access to funds as soon as possible so the shows – and concerts and after school programs -- can go on. The Council has the ability to vote on a grant program as soon as April. We appreciate the Council’s acknowledgment and willingness to act to support the field.”


For more information:
Julie Baker, Executive Director, Californians for the Arts
916-296-1838, membership@californiansforthearts.org


If you agree that emergency grant funds would be beneficial to you or your organization, please add your signature to our petition.

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