Governor Newsom is proposing a 58% CUT to arts program funding in 24-25 May revise of California budget. The $10 million cut to the California Arts Council represents a greater than 38% reduction to its $26 million grants budget, a base level that has not increased in more than 7 years. The proposal would reduce funding to the same level as 1989-1990 without adjusting for inflation, while the general fund has more than doubled. This cut would put California 45th in the United States for per capita funding for the arts.
The proposed cuts also include a total sweep of the $12.5 million for SB 1116, the performing arts equitable payroll fund which is not a new program but repurposed funds from the live venues and nonprofit performing arts grants program to aid in jobs creation, thriving wages, and stability for small budget nonprofit performing arts organizations. Reducing both of these funds would have a devastating impact on a sector that is desperately trying to recover, and would specifically impact rural communities, communities of color, and small budget nonprofits.
For too long, California’s artists, tradition bearers, and cultural organizations have carried the weight of the state’s preeminence as a cultural producer and creative economy on their shoulders alone, without adequate sustained public investment. We urge you to OPPOSE these cuts and tell the Legislature to reject these proposals. Senator Portantino and Assemblymember Mike Gipson have been the lead champions in the Legislature opposing these cuts, but they need to know we are with them.
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
🔖 READ the press release at https://www.caartsadvocates.org/news/press-release-reverse-arts-funding-cuts-proposed-in-may-revise
📫 SEND A LETTER to your Reps at https://secure.everyaction.com/jDPLaTbm-0C59oel6RQxRQ2
📣 MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT at the CAC Meeting on May 24. Learn how at https://arts.ca.gov/about/council-meetings/?emci=a6a984d4-c716-ef11-86d0-6045bdd9e096&emdi=28ca1eb1-9417-ef11-86d0-6045bdd9e096&ceid=11973253
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN CALIFORNIA!