06/11/2026
Dear artists and arts advocates,
Below is an email from California Arts Advocates. There is still time to call or email your state elected and push for this desperately needed arts funding...Please make a call or send an email on behalf of all arts orgs in our state.
I wish the news were more positive. As of now, our key funding priorities — $50 million for the California Arts Council (CAC) and $40 million for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (PAEPF) — have not been included in the printed legislative budgets.
While we are aware that these figures are being viewed as too ambitious given the current structural deficit, we continue to assert that this level of investment is essential. Consequently, we have adjusted our strategy to highlight that any increase in funding will be a major win for our community, and we have asked our legislative allies to propose revised funding amounts.
The state budget process is approaching critical dates:
Friday, June 12: Under the "72-hour rule," the budget bill must be finalized and printed.
Monday, June 15: The constitutional deadline for the legislature to pass the budget.
Monday, June 29: The final deadline for the Governor to act on the bill, marking the typical conclusion for a complete budget agreement.
With the deadline fast approaching, our commitment to this mission remains steadfast. Beyond this date, we anticipate the potential for budget bill juniors to emerge later in the summer; we will persist in our advocacy for these critical investments in the economic prosperity and health of all Californians.
In closing, I want to stress that we remain part of the dialogue because of your tireless work highlighting arts and culture as essential drivers of community and economic growth throughout the state. While the lack of immediate results can be frustrating, please know that as frontline advocates, our collective message is definitely reaching decision-makers. This is a long-term endeavor, and we are committed to seeing it through together.
TAKE ACTION: Keep calling until they say to stop - Join our Click-to-Call campaign and use our script and automated system to call your lawmakers.
https://www.caartsadvocates.org/take-action?emci=1f6075b6-b85e-f111-8fcb-000d3a14b640&emdi=76c71c7f-675f-f111-8fcb-000d3a14b640&ceid=10108795
In advocacy and gratitude,
Julie and the CAA team!
CAA is a comprehensive lobbying organization for the Arts, Culture, and Creative industries, working to influence equitable and just systems change through public policy and public investment.