02/27/2026
Hello wonderful people. It’s time to reinvigorate the Berkeley Cultural Trust (BCT) which fell apart during COVID. Let’s put it back together!
BERKELEY CULTURAL TRUST
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
2180 Milvia St., Redwood Room 6th Fl., City Hall
10:00-11:30 Meeting
11:30-12:00 Networking/Hugging/Schmoozing
Currently, I am on the Civic Arts Commission and at one point I chaired the BCT for over 5 years. I have been encouraged by the City to put the BCT back together, as the arts community is going through such difficult times. We need the networking and advocacy from which we all benefit. (Besides, I miss you all!) Whether you are an arts non-profit, a festival producer, an individual artist or a commercial arts enterprise, join us. Please note that this is an IN PERSON MEETING only.
The City’s two-year budget is already in the works and there is a huge deficit which may impact our grant programs. We have already lost our Chief Cultural Affairs Officer position, haven’t been able to get the additional $43K for festival grants for several years, have had various problems with rules and fees around festivals, halved the payment to the Poet Laureate, and had to cancel the Capitol Improvement Grant after the second year.
With that said, I am hoping that some of you might step into leadership of the BCT as I don’t want to do that for more than this first meeting. Happy to mentor, though! And we are lucky to have Cari Arredondo, Asst. to the City Manager and Secretary for the Art Commission, to act as secretary to the BCT. I’ve attached the leadership descriptions from earlier meetings. LMK if you have any interest.
AGENDA
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
1. Introductions (sign in please)
2. BCT Basics
a. Who makes up BCT?
b. Purpose: Advocacy, Education & Networking
3. City Budget
4. Berkeley Arts Parcel Tax
5. Invite one Mayor/Council Person/Staff Person each meeting
6. Next meeting: when and where if different from today
7. Announcements (bring flyers)
8. Adjournment and Networking time
Please RSVP if you’re attending.
Also, if you would like to be removed from this email list or if there is someone else you would like to add.
Thank you for all you do to make this fantastic City alive with the arts!
Lisa Bullwinkel
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