April is Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month, a statewide effort to uplift the intrinsic value of arts, culture, and creativity as a public good that transforms communities and individuals and drives economic prosperity.
This matters to all of us because the California state budget has changed from unprecedented surpluses to a projected $25 billion deficit. Because of this, Governor Newsom has proposed cuts to several arts programs, including $20 million for cultural districts and almost $30 million for museum grants. This could also mean cuts to programs, artists, and institutions you know and love.
Arts Council Santa Cruz County receives funding from the state through the California Arts Council. We use those funds to support almost everything we do from grant to artists and organizations across the county to our arts education programs serving more than 18,000 kids. These programs contribute to the development of the next generation of problem-solvers, leaders, and creatives and provide safe places for youth to find their voices, have fun, and explore how to take positive risks.
Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month helps show that the creative industry and the people and organizations who drive it are more than entertainment. Art, culture, and creativity’s role is much larger than that - creatives are essential to the state’s economy, innovative reputation, and many diverse communities.
Our county’s arts community has always been robust. It’s no wonder that The Atlantic Monthly ranked Santa Cruz and Watsonville #5 on a list of the Most Artistic Cities in America. State funding is critical to our ability to support and sustain Santa Cruz County’s vibrant arts community
This April, arts champions are gathering across the state and in Sacramento to celebrate but also to protect cultural infrastructure funding, invest in the creative workforce, and build for a creative future. If you’re inspired, please join us in this effort!
Put your heart for the arts solidly on your sleeve by being a part of Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month. Add your voice to the chorus of arts advocates by writing an op-ed or sending a personal note to elected officials. Tell them about your connection to the arts and why their vote for and investment in the arts matters to you. Below are a few talking points to use as is or customize:
Arts, culture, and creativity are a public good, intrinsic to public health, education, transportation, and infrastructure initiatives aimed at transforming communities and individuals. Arts are a part of the solution.
Art is essential to individual and community transformation. Don’t cut funding to arts and culture in order to balance the budget. Arts are a part of the solution.
Make smart investments in our diverse cultural communities and youth NOW. Don’t cut funding for youth development in order to balance the budget. Arts are a part of the solution.
Arts, culture, and creativity are a smart investment for California’s recovery, sustainability, and equity goals. The Future of CA is Creative.
Click the link below to learn more and get involved.