We did it! Securing Jobs in Arts and Entertainment across CA!

Thanks to the Legislature, a series of budget bills signed on July 1 restores the $11.5 million for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund that Governor Newsom proposed to cut in the May revise. This funding will now go to small budget nonprofit performing arts organizations across the state for payroll subsidies to support arts jobs. Over $40 million in applications were received for the program before it was halted by the Governor's proposal. While some applicants will receive awards, not all will. Our future advocacy will focus on securing continued funding for this program.

The budget also includes a trailer bill SB 132 that expands the Film/TV tax credit from $330 million to $750 million. The second step to securing the state’s position as a global entertainment hub will come this week, as AB 1138 (Zbur), the California Film and Television Jobs Act, moves forward in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

While funding for the California Arts Council local assistance program remains flat at around $20m, a separate $2,500,000 shall be available for the Historic South Los Angeles Black Cultural District, an appropriation championed by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas. 

While celebrating this funding, we also hope the Legislature will restore funding to the cultural district program. This grant program, now open at the CAC, unfortunately only offers a state designation with minimal appropriation. To empower cultural districts as engines for community and economic development, restored funding is essential.

The ongoing work of securing and increasing funding for California's vital arts and culture sector demands our continued vigilance. We currently rank 39th in the U.S. for per capita investment in our state arts agency. Furthermore, California's State Budget is reliant on Federal funding, and additional cuts could lead to more budget bills this year. While we acknowledge recent advocacy successes, the effort must persist. That is why your support for our work is critical. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining today.

CAA Legislative Tracking Update

SB456 (Ashby) Contractors: exemptions: muralists, sailed through the June 24 Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism committee hearing with a 9-0 vote. Next up is the Assembly Business & Professions Committee hearing on July 8. CAA is a co-sponsor of this legislation with the League of CA cities. Should this bill pass, it will ensure artists have the opportunity to be muralists in California without having to obtain a license to be a painting contractor. For more information on the bill visit here.