Sustained advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and legislative champions deliver landmark investment in arts and culture in the 2026–27 state budget.

Contact:

Eduardo Robles
eduardo@caforthearts.org
Director of Communications
916-800-7120
For Immediate Release

SACRAMENTO, CA — August 31, 2026 — California Arts Advocates (CAA) and California for the Arts (CA for the Arts) are celebrating the addition of significant new funding for arts and culture in the final 2026–27 California state budget, approved through AB/SB 113, a Budget Bill Jr. currently awaiting the Governor's signature. This legislation represents more than $80 million in new cross-agency investment in the arts. This marks the largest single-year expansion of state arts funding since COVID, providing meaningful support to artists, cultural workers, performing arts organizations, and communities throughout California.

The final budget increases California Arts Council (CAC) grant allocations from $26 million to $38.55 million, a landmark increase secured through months of direct lobbying, grassroots mobilization, and the sustained commitment of legislative champions across both chambers. A victory for all those who advocated for the $50in50 campaign to increase the agency's budget from $26m in grant funding to $50m. 

Key arts investments in the final 2026–27 budget include:

• $12 million for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (PAEPF), providing direct payroll support to small nonprofit theaters, orchestras, dance companies, and live performance organizations with annual budgets under $2 million.
• $10 million in additional general operating grant funding through the California Arts Council, raising total CAC grant allocations to $40 million.
• $4 million for the California Cultural Districts program, continuing funding as the program has grown from 14 to 24 state-designated districts. 
• $5 million for building improvements and program support at the Watts Tower Cultural Center.
• $5 million for programming that highlights California artists and local communities for the LA 28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• $5 million to Protagonist Black to increase book access in underserved communities.
• $37.2 million in pass-throughs to various arts and culture organizations 
• $2 million to Visit Sacramento for creative economy opportunities.
• $1 million for California Fringe.
• Additional millions for cultural venues and projects through the Natural Resources Agency and California State Parks.

"Today's budget victory is the direct result of thousands of Californians who refused to accept the chronic underfunding of arts and culture. This includes artists, cultural workers, educators, creative businesses, mayors, and community members who showed up, made calls, and demanded that their Legislature recognize the arts as essential public infrastructure. While we continue to push for the full investment that California's creative sector deserves, this budget moves us meaningfully forward. 

We are grateful to our legislative champions and all the arts advocates who made this possible," said Julie Baker, CEO of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates.

"California's creative economy contributes $289 billion to our state's GDP and employs hundreds of thousands of workers from Humboldt to San Diego. For too long, public investment supporting this economy has been stagnant, falling below levels seen 25 years ago, even as the state budget doubled. This budget changes that trajectory. It may not be everything we fought for, but it marks a genuine turning point and reminds us that organized, persistent advocacy works. On behalf of our board, I want to thank every Legislator who championed this funding and every arts advocate who made their voice heard,” said Sean Fenton, Board President of California Arts Advocates. 

Legislative Champions

This victory would not have been possible without the leadership of California's Legislative champions. CA Arts Advocates and California for the Arts extend their deepest gratitude to:

• Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, lead champion for arts investment throughout the budget process.
• Assemblymember Chris Rogers and Assemblymember Christopher Ward, steadfast champions in the Assembly.
• Senator John Laird and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, budget chairs who kept arts funding at the table.
• Senator Melissa Hurtado and Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, subcommittee chairs who advanced the investments.
• Senate Pro Tem Monique Limón and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, leadership whose commitment made the difference.
• Assemblymember Matt Haney and Senator Susan Rubio, champions for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund.
• Senator Ben Allen, Chair of the Joint Committee on the Arts, for his persistent focus on increasing arts funding.

About the “$50 in 50” Campaign

In celebration of the California Arts Council's 50th anniversary, CA Arts Advocates and California for the Arts launched the “50 in 50” campaign, a statewide effort to secure $50 million in new investment for the CAC. The campaign united thousands of advocates, artists, cultural organizations, and community members across California in a sustained push for public investment in the arts in the 2026-27 final budget.

About CA for the Arts

California for the Arts is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary advocacy service organization dedicated to building resources, awareness, and public will around the value and impact of arts, culture, and creativity across California. Learn more at www.caforthearts.org

About CA Arts Advocates

CA Arts Advocates (CAA) is a comprehensive lobbying organization for the arts, culture and creative industries, working to influence equitable and just systems change through public policy and public investment. Learn more at www.caartsadvocates.org

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