STATE BUDGET CRISIS IMPACTS ARTS AND ART EDUCATION

From the California Arts Council:
On January 8th, Governor Davis released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2003-04 which included a 50 percent reduction for local assistance grants from the California Arts Council. The net effect would be a loss of approximately $8 million dollars in funding support. Current year (2002-2003) grants funding will not be further affected and will remain at the level proposed by the Governor's Mid-Year reduction plan.
In the coming weeks, the agency will be analyzing how this reduction will impact CAC grantees and creatively looking at scenarios for possible alternative funding sources. There are no easy decisions in a budget deficit of this enormity and no state agency, commission, or department escaped untouched in this budget crisis.
Despite budget reductions, the California Arts Council remains committed to providing excellence in the arts to the citizens of California.

From the California Alliance on Arts Education:
In the Governor's budget proposal for 2003/2004, the $6 million Arts Work grant program is slated to be reallocated to school districts in categorical block grants. This would result in 100% cut for Arts Work grant funds from the CA Department of Education. (In Mendocino County, several school districts receive Arts Work grants to support arts education and several others are applying for the first time.) In addition, all Subject Matter Projects (excluding Science), including The California Arts Project (TCAP), have been completely cut from the budget ($15 million). These projects provide essential support and training for teachers in special disciplines such as the arts.

(1) ACTION REQUESTED: Please send a letter to or fax Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell and copy your legislators with the following message:
"Restore the Arts Work Visual and Performing Arts grant program as a separate budget item to be administered by CDE-VAPA. Please do not include these funds within the block grants to school districts."

(2) ACTION REQUESTED: Please send a letter to your legislators to ask for instatement of the Subject Matter Projects. To find your local legislators, go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and enter your zip code. Keep checking the CAAE web site for updates and sample language at http://www.artsed411.org

NEW 2003 INDEPENDENT FILM SERIES BEGINS JANUARY 28
A new 2003 Independent Film Series begins on January 28 at Ukiah Stadium 6 located 612 S. State Street in Ukiah. All showings are on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM. Series ticket are $35 for 6 movies if purchased prior to first film showing ( a $42 value!). A portion of the purchase price will be donated to the Arts Council of Mendocino County. Tickets can be purchased at the Arts Council office,14125 Highway 128 in Boonville, at the Mendocino Book Co.,102 S. School St. in Ukiah and at the Ukiah Stadium 6 box office.