** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **
BROAD COALITION OF ARTS, CULTURE & CREATIVITY SECTOR GARNERS DIVERSE STATEWIDE SUPPORT FOR BOLD, TRANSFORMATIONAL INVESTMENT URGING GOVERNOR NEWSOM AND THE CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE TO RESTART THE ARTS WITH STIMULUS FUNDING
California Arts Advocates, California Association of Museums and the California Chapter of the National Independent Venue Association join forces for an unprecedented $1 billion funding request.
Coalition gains support from over 500 businesses and organizations and sends over 3,500 letters to Sacramento from all legislative districts.
Sacramento, CA - May 11th, 2021 - A broad coalition representing arts workers, cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, museums, and independent venues are calling on Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature for an unprecedented $1 billion investment in the arts, culture and creative economy. The brand-new coalition represents the first time that for-profit, non-profit, cultural organizations and arts workers have raised their voices together for the collective arts, culture and creative economies in California.
Gaining support from over 500 businesses, organizations and civic leaders across the state including Mayor Todd Gloria of San Diego and Mayor Libby Schaaf of Oakland, this proposal will provide much needed economic stimulus and investment to restart arts in California (see letter here: https://bit.ly/3ePIbQF and see map of supportive entities here: https://bit.ly/331HRsq). Additionally, over 3,500 constituents have sent letters of support to their state elected officials for this funding request so far.
Federal relief funds from the American Rescue Plan and windfall state tax receipts have given California a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in the arts and stabilize an historically underfunded sector of the state economy. The return on investment for the State is high with an economic impact study showing that for every dollar spent at an arts venue, twelve dollars is generated in the local economy at restaurants, bars, lodging, retail shops and transportation.
State Senators Ben Allen (26th District) and Susan Rubio (22nd District), and State Assemblymembers Laura Friedman (43rd District), Adrin Nazarian (46th District) and Sharon Quirk Silva (65th District) have emerged as the legislative champions for this bold, transformational investment.
“This money will bolster our museums, theaters, other arts and cultural institutions, and artists that were hit so hard by the pandemic,” said Senator Allen (D-Santa Monica). “As we emerge from COVID-19, let’s keep California at the cutting edge of arts and creative innovation and support those who inspire us to dream big dreams.”
“I was a creative child with a lot of energy in a community with many bad elements. The performing and visual arts provided the outlet I needed to express myself in a creative and positive way, so I know how critical it is to support small, nonprofit performance arts programs, especially in our minority neighborhoods,” noted Senator Rubio (D-Baldwin Park). “The areas already suffer due to lack of arts in schools. These organizations focus on emerging voices and artists in marginalized communities, many of whom are rarely given an opportunity in larger venues and whose needs are often ignored. We must support them now as they face financial ruin. This funding will ensure minimum wages for workers and protect our small community art programs as they deal with the aftermath of the pandemic."
“Our theaters, museums, and cultural venues were among the first to shut down during the pandemic, and they’ll be among the last to reopen,” said Assemblymember Friedman (D- Glendale). “This funding is a lifeline for our creative arts economy that enriches neighborhoods and communities across California.”
“I am proud to join my colleagues as we stand with the creative industries that bring art, culture, jobs and prosperity to California. The arts are the backbone of millions of jobs across California that have been struggling to properly recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustaining the arts is a critical investment in California’s future,” said Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-Van Nuys).
“The unprecedented $1 billion investment will support and revitalize our arts, culture and creativity economy that have been dramatically affected by the pandemic,” said Chair of the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Industry Media Committee Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton). “California continues to be the center of arts and entertainment, bolstering a number of creative industries and innovative artists that are struggling from the economic impacts felt by many from COVID-19. This funding will allow our artists and creative industries the opportunity to not only reopen, but be able to revitalize our evolving art scene throughout California.”
A $1 billion investment in California’s arts, culture, and creativity industries will help overcome the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions and have a positive impact on jobs creation, tourism, and tax revenues. The proposal outlines stimulus investment to independent venues to provide working capital for reopening and rehiring, investments to the California Arts Council for community access to arts, workforce development and infrastructure investments including support for Senate Bill 628 (Allen), the California Creative Workforce Act, and Senate Bill 805 (Rubio), the Save Performing Arts Act, and grants for the restoration, preservation, and interpretation of California’s historical, cultural, and natural resources through the California Cultural and Historical Endowment.
As California looks to rebuild local communities and recover, arts, culture and creativity will be an essential industry to stimulate local economies, bring social cohesion, provide mental health support and wellness, and deliver positive opportunities for families and youth.
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About California Arts Advocates:
Working on behalf of artists, arts workers, arts and culture organizations, creative businesses and the millions of people that attend museums, galleries, and performances each year, the California Arts Advocates develop strategies and coordinate advocacy that strengthen arts and culture in the State. www.californiansforthearts.org/http://www.californiaartsadvocates.org
About California Association of Museums:
The California Association of Museums assists California museums in fulfilling their missions as educational and research institutions, with a vision of “stronger museums for a stronger California.” California museums are located in every county across the state and include art and history museums, science centers, natural history museums, cultural centers, zoos, aquariums, children’s museums, and botanical gardens. The association’s 200+ institutional members represent organizations of all sizes, disciplines, and geographical regions. Learn more at www.calmuseums.org.
About National Independent Venue Association - California Chapter:
Established in November 2020 as a chapter of the greater National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), the mission of NIVA - CA is to preserve the ecosystem of independent venues and promoters in California by uniting, organizing and voicing support for our industry. Representing over 400 independent venues across California, NIVA - CA creates awareness around issues affecting independent art & culture in our communities. Learn more at https://nivacalifornia.org/.
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Media Contacts:
California Arts Advocates
Julie Baker / julie@californiaartsadvocates.org / 916-296-1838
California Association of Museums
Celeste DeWald / cam@calmuseums.org / 831-471-9970 x102
NIVA - CA
Casey Lowdermilk / clowdermilk@anotherplanetent.com / 415-624-8928