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We’re in Budget Advocacy. See our current campaigns and actions you can take below.
Mobilize Your Community for #JoyActionPower Week!
California has a $350 billion budget, yet only $24 million goes to arts grants statewide, leaving $90 million in community requests unmet. We are calling on you to mobilize your community for #JoyActionPower Week before the May 22 deadline.
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Urgent! 1-Click Letter in Support of the PAEPF
Actor’s Equity has created a one-click letter to ask your legislators to support the $40 million budget ask for the PAEPF. Numbers matter here! Make sure to sign your support and share this with your networks. Urge Your Lawmaker to Support the PAEPF!
Contact Your LawmakersActions
Here are Current Actions You Can Take to Protect Public Arts Funding
May 19, 2026
Mobilize Your Community for #JoyActionPower Week
Taking place from May 19 - 22. Download our toolkit to amplify your community voices to advocate for $50M for the CAC and $40M for PAEPF.
May 1, 2026
One-Click PAEPF Letter
Make sure to sign your support and share this with your networks. Urge Your Lawmaker to Support the PAEPF!
May 7, 2026
Protect the NEA and the NEH from Closure
Reach out to your Members of Congress TODAY and ask them to preserve NEA and NEH funding in FY 2027.
May 1, 2026
Engage the Governor
Our toolkit includes a social post that lifts up Governor Newsom’s own words on the power of the arts and calls for investment in the May Revise.
May 1, 2026
Share Your Testimonial
Help amplify the call for $50M for the California Arts Council in the May Revise by posting your own video testimonial.
March 12, 2026
Add Your Organization to our Coalition Letters
Sign on to our coalition letters for 2 state budget requests: $50M for the CAC, and $40M for the PAEPF
Ongoing
Sign Up for Action Alerts
Things move quickly in the budget process. Make sure you sign up for Action Alerts
Current Campaigns
Increase the California Arts Council's (CAC) ongoing funding to $50 million.
California has a unique opportunity to lead by example for the entire United States. By significantly investing in and celebrating our vibrant culture, we can demonstrate how a state can truly champion the arts and unlock their full potential for the benefit of all Californians.
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$40M for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund
The PAEPF is a smart, targeted investment to strengthen California's small nonprofit performing arts organizations (budgets under $2 million) by helping them meet payroll. This sustains employment for artists and staff, directly supporting working artists, small nonprofits, and their communities.
Learn MoreResources for taking action
Previous Campaigns
March 6, 2026
50 Members for $50M for the CAC
The arts power California — chronic underinvestment puts it at risk. We need you to urge your Assemblymember to co-sign the letter supporting a $50 million investment for the California Arts Council.
March 6, 2026
Lawmaker Sign Ons for $40M for the PAEPF
The Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (PAEPF) is a targeted investment to strengthen California's small nonprofit performing arts organizations (budgets under $2 million) by helping them meet payroll. We need your support to make this $40M budget request happen.
November 10, 2025
California Arts Council Budget Request
Prioritize increased funding for the arts in California and increase the California Arts Council’s ongoing appropriation to $50 million.
October 1, 2025
Federal Government Shutdown
The federal government shutdown on October 1st, 2025. Even in light of a government shutdown, Congress can still consider legislation on the House floor, including the Interior Appropriations bill which funds the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
July 25, 2025
Protect the NEA
President Trump directed the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to cancel or rescind a massive number of grants which were originally put on hold after the inauguration. On the same day, President Trump requested the elimination of the NEA budget for Fiscal Year (FY26).
July 3, 2025
2025-26 Budget Thank You Campaign
Let’s show our strength by posting 500 messages to California lawmakers, thanking them for restoring funding to the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund and passing the California Film and Television Jobs Act.
June 20, 2024
Oppose funding cut for the Cultural Affairs Manager Position
Urge the council to amend the FY 2025-27 budget to reinstate funding for the Cultural Affairs Manager and advance the hiring process.
May 19, 2025
Save the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund
On May 14, the Governor issued the “May revise” to the CA 25-26 budget. This revision included reverting $11.5 million allocated to the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (PAEPF) back to the General Fund and cancelling the program.
May 8, 2025
SB 456: Save California Murals
SB 456 aims to modernize state regulations by removing the requirement for muralists to hold painting contractor licenses — a costly and unnecessary barrier.
February 26, 2025
Restore $5M to the California Arts Council
Send a message to the Governor and your legislators about the importance of public funding for the arts and to urge them to support restoring the $5 million to the CAC.
January 22, 2025
Welcome Your Lawmakers
Take 2 minutes now to send your representatives an email congratulating them and letting them know how important the arts are to their districts.
June 14, 2024
Support City of Berkeley Arts and Cultural Funding
Send a letter urging City Council to reverse cuts to the Civic Arts Festival Grants Program and restore funding for the Civic Arts Capital Grants Program.
May 15, 2024
Protect Arts Funding
Arts Advocates Launch Campaign Urging Governor Newsom to Reverse Arts Funding Cuts Proposed in May Revise.
April 25, 2024
Send a Letter to Governor Newsom
Send Governor Newsom a letter thanking him for his support over his terms in office and reminding him that we need to increase funding.
November 7, 2023
Stop Changes to CAC Grant Programs
In advance of their October 25th meeting, the Programs Policy Committee of the California Arts Council (CAC) made program change recommendations for next year’s grant programs.
