Federal relief funds and windfall state tax receipts have given California a unique opportunity to make a substantial investment that could help stabilize the sector with several years of stimulus/ This investment in California’s arts, culture, and creativity industries will help overcome the challenges of state-imposed COVID-19 restrictions on our ability to operate. We propose to allocate the $1 billion in the FY 2021-2022 budget year but allow the funds to be spent by December 2024.

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“We really believe that what makes California unique and special is our creativity, our innovation. We have so many extraordinary artists that have struggled over the last year in particular and we want to bring that arts back into the public sphere, back into the public spaces and that’s a big part of this proposal.”

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To fully address the recovery of our sector and to help stimulate economic activity, the 504 undersigned arts organizations, independent venues, cultural institutions, creative businesses, unions, service organizations, trade associations, and local governments request your support for a $1 billion investment in the 2021-2022 budget year, to be spent over four years: […]

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In a live press conference today, Governor Gavin Newsom provided an update on the State’s plan to Fully and Safely Reopen California.

Although the arts and live events industries just received guidelines for outdoor seated live performances with capacity restrictions by tier starting April 1 and indoor guidance starting April 15, everything changes starting June 15 when all capacity restrictions and social distancing restrictions are lifted for outdoor and indoor events subject to continued mask wearing and vaccinations. The entire state will move into this phase June 15 if two criteria are met: If vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who want the vaccine, and if hospitalization rates are stable and low.

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She added that the surveys had found racial disparities in loss of income and access to federal money: All of those who identified as Black or African-American indicated a loss of income, while an average of 12 percent of those in all other ethnic groups identified a similar loss.

And 18 percent of Black, Indigenous or people of color individuals or organizations said they were denied funding through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The report added that 5 percent of other people and organizations said they were denied.

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This document includes key takeaways, highlights the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to BIPOC workers and organizations, quantifies layoffs and closures, and concludes with actionable policy recommendations that are centered in racial and cultural equity.

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To assess the impacts of the pandemic, Californians for the Arts (CFTA) conducted two online surveys of creative sector workers as well as businesses and nonprofit organizations between October 6 and November 27, 2020. Surveys were available online in English and in Spanish. CFTA engaged Victoria Plettner-Saunders, a Principal with the arts research and consulting firm WolfBrown, to design, implement and provide analysis of the surveys.

The Statewide COVID-19 Economic Impact Survey for Creative Organizations and Businesses had representatives from 607 creative businesses and nonprofit organizations.

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Between October 6 and November 27, 2020, Californians for the Arts (CFTA) conducted an online survey of creative sector workers, to assess the personal and professional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was available online in English and Spanish. CFTA engaged Victoria Plettner-Saunders, a Principal with the arts research and consulting firm WolfBrown to design, implement and provide analysis of the surveys.

The information provided through the 993 individuals who responded to the survey is a snapshot of a moment in time.

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The agreement reflects a four-fold increase – from $500 million to more than $2 billion– for grants up to $25,000 for small businesses impacted by the pandemic, and also allocates $50 million for cultural institutions.

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On February 2, 2021, the assembly committee held an informational hearing on Restarting the Arts. This was an opportunity for a wide spectrum of artists and arts organization to testify to the impact of COVID 19 on our sector and the specific needs we have to restart the arts in CA.

Read our testimony, our CA Creative Corps Campaign letter and more advocacy resources.

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We invite your organization to co-sign a letter urging the California Budget Committee Chairs to support $50 million in immediate relief funding for cultural institutions. We are joining with California Association of Museums to encourage museums, cultural institutions, and service organizations to sign this letter and show broad support from our sector for this budget appropriation.

Please take this action by EOD Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

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The Governor’s Budget proposal includes $15 million one-time General Fund to support a statewide pilot program, California Creative Corps, to employ arts workers to inspire safe and healthy behavior across California’s diverse populations.

Send the Governor a note of appreciation for his visionary leadership and a note to your legislator so this funding is approved.

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The budget dedicates $25 million for a small cultural institution grant program for museums and theaters, and a $15 million to the California Arts Council (CAC), for a statewide pilot program - California Creative Corps - which will fuel positivity, regain public trust, and inspire safe and healthy behavior across California’s diverse populations through media, outreach, and an engagement campaign. This funding will require a dollar-for-dollar match to receive funding. Governor Newsom’s budget proposal also maintains existing funding levels for the CAC’s ongoing programs to remain at $26 million.

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The $575 million Early Action Budget proposal includes $25 million for small cultural institutions, such as museums and art galleries, that have been constrained by the pandemic in their ability to educate the community and remain financially viable.

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Deadline extended to 1/13: California recently announced a $500 million Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant program for eligible small business owners, nonprofits, and cultural institutions who have been impacted by COVID-19 and the health and safety restrictions. Grants up to $25,000 will be given to eligible small businesses and nonprofits to help cover expenses during the pandemic.

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There is significant relief for the arts contained in the bill including an extension of Federal Pandemic Unemployment programs (with an additional $300 to all weekly benefits), $284 billion for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans (allowing many apply for a second loan), and $15 billion in relief grants for entities and individuals operating live performance venues, performing arts organizations, museums, independent movie theaters, and talent agencies plus an increase of $5.2 million each in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities ($167.5 million each in FY2021)

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Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced a $500 million grant program for small businesses, specifically singling out cultural organizations. Baker said the funds will be a good start, but she also called on legislators to fund a one-time budget increase for the California Arts Council, the state’s arts agency.

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“People need a safe outlet and bars or private gatherings are clearly not the answer,” says Sarah Weber, task force member and Executive Director, Association of California Symphony Orchestras, “In order for the arts to provide that vital service, the state must act on its promise to issue performance guidelines. We are creative,” she adds, “we can figure this out.”

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Californians for the Arts, in partnership with Americans for the Arts and over 725 cultural organizations and creative workers, has proposed a 15-action national recovery strategy that the next Administration can use to put creative workers to work—activating the creative economy and drawing upon the creative energies of the country’s 5.1 million creative workers to energize Americans, reimagine how communities can thrive, and improve the lives of all.

Read more for 5 actions you can take today.

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AB 2257, follow up legislation to AB 5, was signed by Governor Newsom on September 1, 2020 and goes into effect immediately. The law includes new exemptions for musicians, performing artists and fine artists. Learn more about these new exemptions in this webinar moderated by Julie Baker, Executive Director, California Arts Advocates/Californians for the Arts; guest speakers Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, 80th District, Author AB 5 and AB 2257; Assembly Majority Leader Ian C. Calderon, 57th District, Principal Co-author AB 2257; John Acosta, President, AFM Local 47; and Sara B. Boyns, Attorney, Fenton & Keller.

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