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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We need to increase funding for the CAC to at least $1 per capita per person. At the State’s current $26 million funding level, California only invests .73 cents per person. By comparison New York invests $2.31 and Minnesota over $7.00.

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Increasing funding for the CAC to roughly $1 per resident will still place California far behind per capita investment of numerous other states. New York invests $2.31 per resident, while Minnesota spends more than $7 per capita. If we are to retain our claim as this nation’s creative capitol, we must demonstrate sincere commitment to art’s survival and sustainability.

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I respectfully request that your committee and subcommittee consider takin the following actions for the 21-22 budget:

• Increase the amount of arts funding to $1 per person per capita in fundng with a $14 million budget increase to the California Arts Council. This would fund the California Arts Council at $40 million for the 2021-2022 budget year.

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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 behalf of the 324 undersigned museums, cultural institutions, and service organizations, we write to urge your support for early action on the Governor’s proposed $25 million in relief for cultural institutions in the FY20-21 budget and ask you to consider: (1) increasing the amount to $50 million, (2) making nonprofit, cultural institutions of all sizes eligible, and (3) giving priority to institutions with less access to other relief programs.

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In addition to these measures to support Californians through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Budget also advances long-term strategies for an equitable, broad-based economic recovery so the state can emerge from the pandemic stronger than before. Building on actions the state has taken to support California’s businesses throughout the pandemic, including emergency aid and regulatory relief, the 2021-22 State Budget makes investments across sectors and proposes supports for businesses of all sizes, including $777.5 million for a California Jobs Initiative, which focuses on job creation and retention, regional development, small businesses and climate innovation.

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We believe that the current statewide funding level of $26M should be augmented with a one- time infusion of $15M, which would help augment California’s underfunded arts organization particularly serving communities of color and in rural areas that lack access to private funders to address emergency-related needs.

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“We are grateful to Governor Gavin Newsom and to the Legislature for recognizing the value of state funded arts and culture programs in California by protecting the California Arts Council budget at $26 million in ongoing funds”, says Victoria Hamilton, Board President of Californians for the Arts.

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The Budget makes critical investments to save lives and promote economic recovery by continuing critical purchases of personal protective equipment and other safeguards necessary to safely reopen the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. It protects public education and supports Californians facing the greatest hardships – since the pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on lower-wage workers, communities of color, and is further exacerbating income inequality. Finally, the Budget supports job creation, economic recovery and opportunity by recognizing and supporting the critical role small businesses play in job creation in the state.

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