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 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.
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Without 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.
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AB 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.
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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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California 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.
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May 14, 2020
Governor Newsom May budget revise withdraws $10.5 million in one time funds for the California Arts Council, the State Arts Agency but maintains ongoing funds of $26 million.
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Under 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.
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The 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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Newsom presents mid May - a “workload” budget based on current economic projections and loss of revenue due to COVID 19. Action Alert: It is time to let our representatives at the CA Legislature know that the arts need ongoing funding in the State budget as they address public health concerns and economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Increased public investment in the arts is an issue of equity and access. According to a James Irvine Foundation study from 2011, there are over 11,000 non-profit arts organizations in California delivering programs to our state of 40 million people.
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AB 1850 is Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez’s follow up legislation to clarify AB 5
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This bill would require a trier of fact to additionally rely on the visibility of the work, community recognition awards attributable to the work, and recognition and awards received by the artist of the work. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
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Designed to protect existing live-work and warehouse spaces used for housing to ensure safety improvements are made without residents being displaced, SB 906 would allow cities to work cooperatively with property owners to make live-work and warehouse spaces and other types of housing safer.
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Existing law defines “organized camp,” for these purposes, as a site with a program and facilities established for the primary purposes of providing an outdoor group living experience with social, spiritual, educational, or recreational objectives, for 5 days or more during one or more seasons of the year, except as specified.
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Pursuant to constitutional authorization, existing property tax law provides a welfare exemption, pursuant to which property used exclusively for religious, hospital, scientific, or charitable purposes owned and operated by specified types of entities is exempt from taxation if it meets certain criteria, including that the property is used for the actual operation of the exempt activity, and does not exceed an amount of property reasonably necessary to the accomplishment of the exempt purpose.
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