Arts Funding is on the Line—

Last week, the Governor released the May Revision to California’s state budget. Despite months of statewide advocacy, the proposed budget still does not include the arts and culture investments our communities need. The Legislature can still act—but only if lawmakers hear from constituents now!

We are asking you to take a few minutes today to support two critical statewide budget asks:

1. $50 million for the California Arts Council through the 50 in 50 campaign—This request marks the California Arts Council’s 50th anniversary by calling for a meaningful restoration of state investment in arts and culture. Importantly for Nevada County, this includes funding for California Cultural Districts — the program that supports our work in both the Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District and the Truckee Cultural District.

   For us, this funding is not abstract. It helps keep our office doors open in both our Cultural Districts. It allows us to serve our artists, creative businesses, venues, chambers, downtowns, cultural partners, tourism partners, and the wider creative economy across our region. It is the infrastructure behind the year-round work that makes state designation meaningful on the ground.

2. $40 million for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund—PAEPF is a vital workforce investment for nonprofit performing arts organizations. Several local and regional performing arts organizations are eligible for this program, which helps sustain jobs, stabilize small nonprofit employers, and support the people who make live performance possible.

   Together, these asks recognize something we know deeply in Nevada County: arts and culture are not extras. They are part of our economic infrastructure, civic life, downtown vitality, youth opportunity, tourism economy, and sense of place.

Here are three ways you can help!

• ONE—Make a phone call today. This is the most important action.
  

  California Arts Advocates has created a simple call tool. Enter your information, and it will provide a script and connect you with legislative offices.

  Your message can be simple:

  My name is [NAME], and I live in [CITY/TOWN]. I’m calling to urge the Legislature to include $50 million for the California Arts Council through the 50 in 50 campaign, including support for California Cultural Districts, and $40 million for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund in the final state budget. Arts and culture support local economies, jobs, youth programs, downtown vitality, and community life. Please prioritize these investments before the budget is finalized.”

Legislative offices track calls. A strong volume of calls over
the next few days can make a real difference.

• TWO—Record a short video
  
  California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates are also asking community members to record brief videos for social media.

  Your video can be very simple — 30 seconds is enough. Share who you are, where you live, and why state arts funding matters to your community.

  You might say:

  “I’m [NAME] from [CITY/TOWN], and I’m asking California lawmakers to invest $50 million in the California Arts Council and $40 million in the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. In Nevada County, arts funding supports artists, venues, youth programs, creative businesses, two California Cultural Districts, and the local economy broadly. Please invest in our arts community—it is a critical driver of local economic vitality, it supports our youth, and supports a healthy, happy and safe place to live and visit.”

  Please tag:

  @caforthearts
  @caartsadvocates
  @gavinnewsom
  @cagovernor
  @asmjessegabriel
  @senjohnlaird
  @sqsforassembly
  @senmelissahurtado
  @caspeakerrivas
  @moniquelimonca

  And use:

  #InvestCAArts
  #SmARTinvestment
  #50in50
  #40MforPAEPF

• THREE—Attend a budget hearing and give public comment
  
  If you are able to be in Sacramento, there are upcoming budget hearings where public comment may be possible. Arts advocates are being encouraged to show up and speak directly to lawmakers.

You do not need to be an expert. You only need to speak from your community experience and ask lawmakers to include these investments in the final state budget.

This is a numbers game, and this is the moment. If you care about artists, venues, festivals, creative businesses, youth arts opportunities, downtown vitality, cultural tourism, and the future of California’s creative economy, please make a call or take action today!