First, we want to thank everyone who took the time to sign the letter to the California Arts Council (CAC) urging them to reconsider proposed changes to field-serving programs. You can read more about the issues we took collective action on and the signed letter at our #FundCAarts webpage.
Read MoreAs we begin our review of the Governor’s 2023-24 Budget proposal and identifying Senate budget priorities, I write now to alert your office to the process we will follow for members to provide input on statewide budget priorities, and district specific budget requests. For this upcoming 2023-24 fiscal year, new General Fund resources are anticipated to be limited.
Read MoreLast year the Assembly established two formal processes to accept input from member offices. Your input informs the Subcommittee hearing process and shapes the Assembly’s budget priorities. We have two different processes, one for overall budget priorities and issues and a smaller and more dedicated process for member district priorities.
Read MoreDear CA Arts & Culture Advocates,
Welcome back, it’s budget season again in California but things look a little different this year. Between spiraling inflation, a weakening stock market and a budget that relies heavily on capital gains, this year’s budget proposal announced by Governor Newsom on January 10, 2023 is a $298 billion spending plan which takes into account a projected $22.5 billion deficit and is about 3.6% smaller than last year’s record budget.
What does this mean for the arts?
Read MoreWe are delighted the CA Budget package includes new investments in arts and culture for vital programs such as lifting up community cultural districts and arts installations in parks. We also celebrate the $120 million investment in thirty one district across the state.
Read MoreOn Friday, May 13, 2022, Governor Newsom released the May revise. Due to an increase in General Fund revenues estimated to be nearly $55 billion higher than January, the budget includes new proposals including $18.1 billion in direct relief to millions of Californians to help offset rising costs. The Legislature will review the Governor's proposals and then present their own recommendations. A budget must be sent to the Governor by June 15 at which time he has 12 working days to reduce or eliminate any appropriation contained in the budget and sign the bill.
Read MoreArts & culture has always been essential to our state’s economy and the wellbeing of its residents. This bill represents a long-overdue in investment in the workforce that sustains this work and is an indispensable part of California’s future.
Read MoreThis measure would declare that the Legislature joins Californians throughout the state in celebration of 2021 Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month and would recognize the significant role of artists as “Second Responders” in our state.
Read MoreThis resolution declares that the Legislature joins Californians throughout the state in celebration of 2021 Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month and recognizes the significant role of artists as “Second Responders” in our state
Read MoreCurrent economic models are insufficient to allow SNPACs to pay all workers minimum wage. SB 805 is the first in the nation that would help assist our SNPACs create and preserve job opportunities for performers and people in the performing arts sector, particularly workers in marginalized communities.
Read MoreThis bill, as proposed to be amended, will create a critical funding infrastructure to help assist SNPACs known as the “California Nonprofit Performing Arts Paymaster” which will provide low- cost payroll and paymaster services to SNPACs and establish the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund to ensure that SNPACs can pay all workers minimum wage.
Read MoreOn April 19, SB 628 unanimously passed through the Senate Labor Committee and referred to the committee on appropriations.
If you would like to support the CA Creative Workforce Act, please contact julie@californiaartsadvocates.org
Read MoreCalifornia has a unique opportunity to invest in a workforce that will help bring social and emotional wellness, community cohesion, jobs and economic benefit to every community across the state. Establishing and investing in the California Creative Workforce Act will put California in a leadership position as a forward thinking, innovation partner to business as well as the emotional and mental health benefits arts and culture brings to our lives.
Read MoreExisting law establishes an Arts Council in state government to, among other things, promote the employment of artists and those skilled in crafts in both the public and private sector.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish the California Creative Corps, a job and training program to employ and deploy artists and creative workers with the intent to achieve specified goals related to civic, cultural, and economic improvement of the state.
Read MoreWe appreciate that fine artists, musicians, performing artists and specialized performers teaching master classes have been granted flexibility in AB 2257. We also see that many of the arguments justifying these exemptions could also apply to more artists and cultural workers who are inherently not subject to control and direction by the hiring entity of a small budget community based arts organization and look forward to further exploration of this in the next legislative session.
Read MoreWithout an amendment, the bill’s good intentions would be overshadowed by the unintended consequences of eliminating opportunities for youth to access arts and culture programs primarily offered during the summer months when it is critical youth are kept engaged.
Read MoreAB 2936 provides the first and only California legislation to defines DAFs and DAF-sponsoring organizations. It also affirms the authority of the Attorney General to require reporting from DAF sponsoring organizations. The bill will increase DAF transparency by allowing the Attorney General to require reports, which will provide new information to inform future policies.
Read MoreCalifornia Arts Advocates, California’s statewide arts advocacy organization, is pleased to offer our support for SB 939: No commercial evictions during COVID. SB 939 will ensure that no commercial tenants (businesses, non-profits, and other non-residential lessees) will be evicted during the State of Emergency declared to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic, during which economic activity has been deliberately suppressed and a business or non-profit may prove unable to pay the rent through no fault of their own.
Read MoreUnder AB 1968, public schools, parks, libraries, and museums may begin recognizing the past tribal guardianship of lands where their organizations are located. This practice of land acknowledgement would inform Californians and others about the history and treatment of the state’s original people.
Read MoreThe revised 2020 Legislative Session schedules for (May-August). A list of key dates and downloadable calendars. Please note that the Senate and Assembly calendars will sync up again beginning July 13, 2020.
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