A BETTER CALIFORNIA FOR ALL

AFTER CALIFORNIA ARTS COUNCIL RECEIVES $lOOM FUNDING BOOST
 BUDGET INCLUDES $6OM FOR CAIFORNIA CREATIVE CORPS
AND $40M FOR CREATIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

By Iride Aparicio

SACRAMENTO, CA-- Governor Gavin Newson just released the details of the fiscal year 2021-22 state budget that includes more that 100 million one time funding allocation for the California Arts Council, California's state arts agency. The increase, approved with bipartisan support by the Legislature, calls for significant added investment toward the agency's mission to strengthen arts, culture, and creative expression as the tools to cultivate a better California for all.

The boost in funding for the arts also calls for the implementation of a California Creative Corps Pilot Program by the Arts Council and for added support for the agency's existing creative Youth Development Programs.

With a permanent annual general fund allocation of approximately $26 million, the Arts Council administers grants and programs that support the state's art and cultural communities that enhance the cultural, educational, social and economic growth of California. Because of it, this year the California Arts Council is prioritizing grant funding to nurture and heal our communities through the arts, keep the doors of our arts and cultural institutions open, protect jobs in the creative fields and preserve our cultural heritage, our stories, and our culture bearers.

"The landscape of California's arts and culture has changed dramatically in the last year and half, as artists and arts organizations sought new and innovative ways to keep creativity within reach of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic" said California Arts Council Chair Lilia Gonzales Chavez, "This challenging and unprecedented period of time has shown us all just how needed the healing and connecting nature of the arts are within our lives. Whether we listened to or play music, watched or created videos, drew or painted images, read books or wrote down our own thoughts, we each turned to the creative world to get us through these times we all are living in. There should be no more doubt, art is a human essential."

"We have overwhelming gratitude for Governor Newson and the Legislature in today's budget announcement recognizing California as a leader and innovator in the arts as a mean of economic and educational growth and racial equity, social inclusion, and community resilience and recovery." said Anne Bown-Crawford, Executive Director of the California Arts Council. "This incredible new level of investment marks a resounding and bipartisan understanding of the value and impact of artists and arts and culture organization up and down or state."

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CALIFORNIA ARTS COUNCIL'S STATE FUNDING HISTORY INVESTMENTS.

CALIFORNIA CREATIVE CORPS PILOT PROGRAM
The budget includes a one-time $60 million general fund investment in 2021-22 to be spent over three years, to implement the California Creative Corps Pilot Program. This additional investment will allow the Arts Council to expand the media outreach and engagement. The campaign will include: (1) public health awareness messages to stop the spread of the pandemic. (2) Public awareness related to water and energy conservation, and emergency preparedness relief and recovery. (3) Civic engagement, including election participation. (4) Social justice and community engagement.

CREATIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAMS
Several grant programs to support creative youth development through arts education and arts workforce development. These programs include Youth Arts Action, Artists in Schools, Arts Education Exposure, JUMP, Street Arts, and Arts Integration Training.  The Arts Council will also use partnerships between community-based organizations, educators and local artist to expand participation in these programs.

DREAM MAGAZINE
The Arts Council also announces the creation of DREAM Magazine.
This magazine will publish Voice and stories from across the state, sharing a glimpse into the depth of impact of creative and cultural expression in a region as large and as diverse as California.