Governor Newsom released the proposed 2026-2027 state budget on January 9th. While it contains significant proposals for areas like higher education, housing, homelessness and health care, it includes no meaningful investments or efforts to sustain California's vital arts and culture workforce.

In November, the Coalition of County Arts Agencies (State Local Partners to the California Arts Council) and the California Arts Advocates (CAA) submitted a joint budget letter. This letter requested an increase in the California Arts Council's grant funding from the current $21 million to $50 million, coinciding with the agency's 50th anniversary.

Unfortunately, the Governor's budget proposal did not incorporate this funding increase. However, this marks only the beginning of the annual budget process. CAA’s immediate next step is to advocate to the Legislature, urging them to recognize the value of this investment and prioritize the requested increase for the 2026-2027 budget. And, CA For The Arts will launch a public will-building media campaign.

The key arguments for increasing the California Arts Council's (CAC) ongoing funding to $50 million are:

• Arts and culture are vital forces for healing, well-being, strengthening community bonds, and protecting freedom of expression.
• Significant Economic Impact: Arts and culture generate jobs, stimulate local economies, and attract tourism, and the creative economy is a strategic sector in the State Economic Blueprint.
• Severe Underfunding: Despite being a culturally rich state, California ranks 35th nationally in per capita arts funding. The current $21 million in local assistance grants is insufficient, as the CAC recently received nearly $90 million in eligible applications, forcing difficult decisions.
• Disproportionate Funding Decline: The current funding is lower than it was 25 years ago. In 2000-01, the agency’s budgetwas $30.7 million -  $59 million in today’s dollars. While the state budget has more than doubled since that time, the CAC is being asked to serve the state with 63% less funding.
• Alignment with State Priorities: Investment in the arts aligns with the Legislature’s priorities by increasing social connection (addressing loneliness and mental health), supporting career education, and aligning with workforce development goals through programs like the successful CA Creative Corps.
• Creative Economy Plan Implementation: The success of the newly released CA Creative Economy Strategic Plan is contingent upon the allocation of sufficient resources to the CAC.
• Milestone Opportunity: Increased funding offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the CAC's 50th anniversary in 2026.

There will be many opportunities for advocates to engage in the budget process so stay tuned.

What you can do now: