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 MoreArts champions gather in Sacramento to urge CA lawmakers to protect cultural funding, invest in creative workers and build a creative future. Sacramento, CA - On Tuesday, April 18, arts champions from around the state will meet in Capitol park for a rally and press conference for Arts Advocacy Day and to celebrate Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM).
Featured speakers include Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon, Senator Anthony Portantino, Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath and Mayor Darrel Steinberg who will present a City proclamation, with more to be confirmed. There will also be performances by Alex Yue, 2023 California Poetry Out Loud state champion and a Sacramento resident, Eastern Ways performing a Lion Dance, and drumming by Brian Jackson Jr. and Quincia Lynn. The rally will cover statewide advocacy wins for the arts, such as Prop 28, CA Creative Corps, Cultural Districts, CA Creative Workforce Act, and more.
Read MoreArts Champions call on CA to Make a smART investment NOW To ensure the future of CA is Creative April Brings California’s 5th Annual Celebration of Arts, Culture & Creativity Month Sacramento, CA - Californians for the Arts is pleased to announce the fifth annual Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month (ACCM). A statewide celebration to uplift the intrinsic value of arts, culture, and creativity as not only a public good – transforming communities and individuals, but also as a driver of prosperity for the California state economy. As the California budget has changed from unprecedented opportunities for funding to a projected $25 billion and growing deficit, several arts funded programs have been proposed to be cut by Governor Newsom from the state budget including $20 million for cultural districts and $29.5 million for museum grants. “As a vital yet underutilized workforce that has long been undercapitalized, we must continue to share that arts are a part of the solution and a smart investment for CA. Arts are not the place to cut funding. We urge the Legislature to focus on allocations that build local economies, bring social cohesion, cultural equity and impact through creative practices,“ says Julie Baker, CEO of Californians for the Arts.
Read MoreCalifornians for the Arts is pleased to announce the launch of CalPayArt, a mission driven nonprofit paymaster service program, specifically designed to support payroll compliance and aggregate lower insurance and unemployment coverage costs for small nonprofit performing arts organizations in California. All qualified applicants will be accepted, and custom solutions will be designed for each participant’s unique circumstances by program administrators at Austin Creative Alliance, who have over a decade of experience providing this service to small arts nonprofits in twenty-eight states. The service is now available for interested parties to sign up and access the benefits of a nonprofit paymaster.
Read MoreMany businesses were affected by the economic downturn spurred by COVID lockdowns and social-distancing mandates. Especially hard hit were local performing arts organizations including theater, dance and music.
“The nonprofit performing arts sector is facing an existential crisis like never before,” said Julie Baker, CEO of Californians for the Arts. “During COVID, we were the first to close and the last to reopen.”
Read MoreOn June 27, 2023 Governor Gavin Newsom signed the $310 Billion dollar 23-24 budget with Senate Bill 101. While the headlines captured the challenge to balance a $30 billion dollar budget deficit to protect funding for social services and education and negotiations related to infrastructure and clean energy, the arts were largely overlooked in the discussion.
Read MoreSACRAMENTO, CA – The California Arts Council today announced that it has awarded a one-year, $500,000 contract to an arts organization that will provide payroll and paymaster services at low cost to small nonprofit arts organizations (SNPAOs), which contribute cultural and economic opportunities in communities throughout the state.
Read MoreConnect regionally on statewide initiatives. Each event features updates on cultural policy, arts advocacy, and funding opportunities, as well as a chance to listen and connect with local artists, creatives, and cultural leaders.
Sacramento, CA– Californians for the Arts, the nonprofit statewide advocacy organization for arts, culture and creativity is excited to launch Winter 2022 Regional Conversations to take place in November and December 2022.
Read MoreBetween 2019 and 2020, California’s Creative industries lost 100,000 jobs. CAA argues that it is imperative the state of California invest in programs to support earn and learn opportunities. “Meanwhile, we look forward to working with the Newsom Administration and California Legislature to ensure California maintains its position as the leading creative state by investing in building an equitable workforce pipeline for thriving wage jobs in the creative industry. Artists, culture bearers and creative workers are at the heart of every community. It is time we elevate our support for their contributions to the health and vitality of the golden state by investing in this innovative workforce,” states Victoria Hamilton, Board President of California Arts Advocates (CAA).
Read MoreCFTA is proud to present the 2022 Arts Champion Award to Governor Gavin Newsom for increased investments to the arts and cultural field for four consecutive budget cycles, including an historic $600 million in 2021-22. The Arts Champion Award recognizes individuals who valorize the strength of arts, culture, and creativity to connect and unify; innovate and drive community prosperity and well-being. California arts champions believe in creativity as a driver to find solutions to social and economic problems, and further see it as a public value. Read more.
Read MoreIn his fourth year as Governor, it is clear Gavin Newsom is a friend to the arts. In every budget, Newsom has included new and increased investments in California’s arts, culture and creative industries. On January 10, Newsom introduced his 2022-23 budget proposal to the Legislature and it included over $80 million in new funding for arts and culture initiatives. Specifically, his budget proposal includes a one-time general fund of $30 million to the California Arts Council (CAC) to be spent over three years for Cultural Districts existing 14 pilot districts as well as program expansion. And, $50 million one-time General Fund for the California Department of Parks and Recreation to create new California Cultural and Art Installations in the Parks Program for state and local parks and $173,000 ongoing General Fund to the CAC to support the California Poet Laureate and California Youth Poet Laureate and other literary programs in all 58 California Counties. Read more.
Read More“With this new law, more people will have the opportunity to train for careers in California’s creative workforce, regardless of their backgrounds or connections,” says Senator Ben Allen.
“We are pleased to see the Newsom Administration take proactive steps to support the arts and live events industries to keep audiences, performers and workers safe as we continue to battle the spread of COVID. The arts have always led with safety first and it is imperative that for every community’s economic, social, and emotional recovery, we must do everything we can to allow for secure gatherings.”
Read More“At Californians for the Arts, educating the field to be effective advocates and learning about policies that impact their work is part of our mission.” says CFTA Board President Ron P. Muriera. “It is critical that this momentum continues and we encourage folks who work in the arts to join us as we continue to build awareness of the impact of our sector to California’s recovery.”
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreThis April, organizations and individuals across the state will gather to celebrate and raise awareness for Arts, Culture and Creativity Month (ACCM). Now in its third year, ACCM was declared by the California Senate in a concurrent resolution to recognize and celebrate the significant impact the arts have in California. The month-long campaign, led by Californians for the Arts (CFTA), encourages all Californians to join the movement to bring public awareness of the value and impact the arts have our communities and state, and features multiple opportunities to participate through trainings, storytelling, public action and online events such as Advocacy Week April 19-April 23 and the ACCM Virtual Convening on April 27.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read More“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.”
Read MoreCalifornia is one of only nine states in the country that legally prohibits affirmative action, which requires college admissions, government hiring, and government contracting to fulfil quotas based on race and gender.
Read More“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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