The CA Budget negotiations continue but expect final announcements at the end of this week. For months now the Arts Coalition of California Arts Advocates, California Association of Museums and NIVA CA have worked with the Legislature and the Administration to highlight the disproportionate impact and need for investment from the state in order for the arts, culture & creative industries to recover from the shut downs due to COVID 19 as well as the ongoing financial impact of AB 5 and the historic underinvestment in our industry.

We went big and bold with an unprecedented $1 Billion ask. Five key legislators, Senators Allen and Rubio, Assemblymembers Friedman, Nazarian and Quirk-Silva championed our budget ask and we are so grateful for their support.  On June 2, the CA Legislature released their budget summary in response to Governor Newsom’s May revise. Below is a highlight of what was included which with the earlier win of $50 million in Cultural Institutions grant program and individual line items represents over $400 million in funding for arts, culture & live events.

Although this is still not $1 Billion and we continue to push for increases before the budget is finalized, this proposal is still a record arts funding investment for CA.

• Adopts $150 million one-time General Fund for CalOSBA to provide financial relief to independent venues, live events businesses, and minor league sports.
• Provides $50 million one-time General Fund for the Museum Grant Program at the California Cultural and Historical Endowment for capital projects or programs that support and enhance museums services and serve historically underserved communities.
• Proposes $50 million one-time General Fund to provide grantees technical assistance to comply with the requirements of AB 5. 
• Provides $60 million one time General Fund to implement the California Creative Corps Pilot Program.
• Allocates $40 million General Fund for Creative Youth Development Grant programs.
• Adopts additional rounds of grants for eligible nonprofit cultural institutions until the full $50 million has been awarded