A deeper look at arts and public funding in California – why your voice matters
DECEMBER NEWS
Dear Arts Champions,
A public rich in arts builds empathy and connection. At the core we are all creative – but too often we see this spirit stifled in order to focus on pursuits that are traditionally more lucrative. We want to see artists valued and uplifted and a paradigm shift from starving artist to thriving artist. Creativity is not to be downgraded as a trait but nurtured and supported. Funding and value is at the core of this shift.
Most recently Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi told a CNN town hall audience, "I myself think that one of the ways that America will heal is through the arts.” We see the evidence that arts heal and unite and no nation or state is adverse from suffering. We need the arts in our daily lives but funding is essential to making this a reality for all Californians.
As the only comprehensive arts advocacy organization for the state, Californians for the Arts and our partner lobbying organization, California Arts Advocates, our primary mission is to increase funding for the arts in order to see arts accessible for every Californian. We are pleased that due to our consistent efforts to represent the needs of the field, funding for the arts has increased over 800% in 5 years.
Click here to see our list of accomplishments and actions for 2019.
Even with this good news, there is still more work to be done. The data shows, California is leading the nation in creative economy output but still falls behind in terms of public investment in the arts. Even with the $10 million increase in 2019, California is still investing less than a dollar, in fact .71 cents per capita per person (without one time designated funds) and ranks 26th in the nation for arts funding. We believe, as the creative economy represents 7.1% of California’s GSP ahead of agriculture and transportation, an investment in public funding for the arts makes good business sense.
We also recognize increasing public funding is an equity and access issue. According to a James Irvine Foundation study in 2011, there are over 11,000 arts non-profit organizations in Californiadelivering much needed creative and cultural programs to our state of 40 million people. Most of these organizations operate on small budgets with tight margins but do the work because they know the difference the arts bring to our lives and our communities. However, in grants awarded by June of 2019, the California Arts Council was able to fund only 13% ofthe organizations in California (approx. 1400 grants). With more funding, there will be increased access for all.
Additionally, recent legislation such as AB5 will change the way the arts do business and increase staffing costs up to 40% for some organizations who without increased public funding, could reduce or cease vital programs in communities across California. According to data from our own survey, close to 60% of respondents believe AB5 will result in fewer programs or force them to close their organization.
We believe arts should be accessible for every Californian and arts education should be delivered in every school. We see the impact arts make on social issues such as providing programs to our Veterans suffering from PTSD, reducing recidivism in our state prisons, as second responders after disasters, nurturing creativity in students for our next generation of leaders, increasing graduation rates and so much more. It’s important we continue to Invest in the infrastructure of our cultural institutions and celebrate, recognize, include and uplift the Indigenous and diverse cultures of California.
In order for us to successfully represent you as the voice for the arts in California and in Washington D.C. for national arts advocacy day, we need to increase our membership base as we are only as strong as the voices we represent. Recent legislative decisions such as AB5 have made it very clear, the arts and particularly those not traditionally heard, such as artists and non-profit arts organizations, need a voice in Sacramento.
Please join Californians for the Arts today, your non-profit advocacy organization, make a year-end additional gift or join California Arts Advocates as an organization to help underwrite the cost of our lobbyist. Memberships start as low as $25. Your support makes a difference.
We look forward to working with you and for you to advance arts, culture and creativity in California.
CALIFORNIANS FOR THE ARTS NEEDS YOU!
Julie Baker, Executive Director
membership@californiansforthearts.org
Victoria Hamilton, Board President
SAVE THE MONTH!
April is Arts, Culture & Creativity Month!
Get ready for a month packed with state-wide events, arts advocacy trainings, workshops, webinars, Arts Advocacy Day, Arts Advocacy Summit, and much more.
Get your community involved. Stay tuned on how to participate!
Nevada County student delegates with Senator Nielsen.
In 2019, Arts Culture and Creativity Month was declared by the California Senate in a concurrent resolution to be every April in California to recognize and celebrate the significant impact the arts and culture has in California. Activations occur throughout the state including city and count proclamations, op-eds, special events, performances, round tables and more. The goal of our month long campaign is to elevate public awareness of the value of the arts and the collective impact the arts bring to our communities and state.
On Advocacy day, hundreds of arts advocates meet in Sacramento to illustrate arts impact on our economy and well-being and to meet directly with elected officials to encourage them to support increased public funding for the arts and legislation and policies that are pro-arts, arts education, culture and the creative sector.
Biannually we produce an arts impact summit where cross sector representatives from the field of presenters, venues, artists, symphonies, museums, educators, students, arts councils, commissioners, local arts agencies, cultural districts, theater, dance, visual, literary, media arts and performing arts gather to share and learn about advocacy efforts, policy initiatives and issues that collectively impact our industry. It is also offers an opportunity to share success stories and best practices and celebrate our collective accomplishments.
JOIN US for ACCM 2020
Learn More:
Arts Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM) 2020
APRIL 13 – 14: ACCM 2020 SUMMIT | APRIL 15: ARTS ADVOCACY DAY
Look for special e-mail blasts starting in January 2020.
Sign up for our Newsletter at the bottom of this page.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
CALIFORNIANS FOR THE ARTS IS HIRING!
TITLE: Administrative Assistant
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
JOB PURPOSE: To support the Executive Director of Californians for the Arts to maximize participation in, and the success of, Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM) activities and to build public awareness of the value of arts, culture and the creative sector. To assist the Executive Director on overall administrative tasks to manage the organization.
STATUS: PT Seasonal Employee, non-exempt, hourly $15-18 based upon experience
LOCATION: Sacramento or Nevada County
PROJECT TIMELINE: January 15- May 15, 2020
To apply please email your resume and cover letter to membership@californiansforthearts.org
FEDERAL BUDGET NEWS
Yesterday, the U.S. House voted to overwhelmingly pass all 12 fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations bills to fund the federal government. Significantly, the bills contained all of the funding priorities Americans for the Arts and your state Captains from Californians for the Artshas been working on this Congress—more arts-specific items than ever before. This includes funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and federal cultural agencies, juvenile justice, arts education, and ground-breaking support for creative arts therapies in funding through the Defense Department and Veterans Affairs Department.