Give Public Comment at State Budget Committee Hearing

Description

Join arts advocates from across the state to speak up for the arts at a State Budget Committee Hearing!

Sign Up To Attend a Budget Committee Hearing Here!

There are two major arts funding budget asks before the committee this spring:

1. $50 Million for 50 Years at the CAC: 

For 50 years, the California Arts Council (CAC) has stewarded statewide public investment in arts and culture, reaching every district and expanding equitable access to creative and cultural resources. After devastating cuts in 2003, the CAC gradually rebuilt its funding and impact. 

• Funding cut by 94% in 2003, with most programs suspended.  
• only $1M in Local Assistance Funding for ten years. 
• Small funding increases in FY 2012-13 reached a $26M annual budget in 2018 and at that level until FY 2023-24  
• $5M reduction in FY 2024–25 and 2025-26.

As of 2026, California ranks 35th nationally in per-capita arts funding, significantly behind Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida.

• In 2025, there were $90M in eligible CAC grant requests, with only $21M available to fund.
• In the last 25 years, the state budget has tripled but the CAC’s budget has declined by 63%.
• $70.5M in recent statewide arts cuts since 2024, weakening community and economic recovery.

2. $40 Million for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund: 

The PAEPF was designed to strengthen small nonprofit performing arts organizations – theaters, orchestras, dance companies, and other live performance groups with annual budgets under $2 million – by helping them meet payroll obligations and sustain employment for artists and staff.

The inaugural program showed this program was an important arts job creator in cities and towns across California with 4,748 direct jobs supported by the 100 grants awarded with an additional 7,406 downstream jobs supported.

Small nonprofit performing arts organizations across California continue to face severe financial strain due to prolonged pandemic recovery, rising operational costs, and declining federal support. The initial rollout of the PAEPF underscored both overwhelming demand and administrative challenges. With over $40 million in application requests and only $11.5 million in the fund, the application portal had to close within days due to oversubscription, demonstrating the scale of unmet need.

The Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (PAEPF) Program represents a smart, targeted, and equity-driven investment that directly supports working artists, small nonprofits, and the communities they serve. For that reason, we respectfully request the inclusion of $40 million in the 2026–2027 budget.