Keep Arts Alive in California

As artists, educators, and friends of the Arts, we request our legislators NOT to turn a deaf ear to our continued, powerful and sustained voices in support of Arts funding. Many of the programs supported by California Arts Council grants are essential to the cultural and educational needs of our communities.

Elimination of the California Arts Council (CAC) will devastate Californias arts and culture programs, weaken arts education in California's public schools, threaten thousands of jobs, and undermine the economies of cities and towns across California. The CAC has already taken more than its fair share of cuts.

Eliminating the California Arts Council is an unthinkable act of haste. CAC's budget is only 200th of 1\% of California's entire state expenditures. Cutting arts funding is turning a blind eye to creativity, the economic engine that is a cornerstone of California's economy. While the miniscule amount saved is NOT going to make a dent in the deficit, taking away that money will completely eradicate programs that serve over 800,000 school children, destroy many arts programs that provide rehabilitation to underserved youth and destroy the infrastructure of a parent organization that over 1600 organizations count on.


Please consider the following economic facts:

1) For every dollar the government invests in non-profit arts eight dollars are returned to the economy.

2) Arts and culture in California generates 10.1 billion dollars in event related spending by arts audiences.

3) Arts and culture as an industry in California supports 400,00 full time equivalent jobs and generates 830 million dollars in state income.

4) More people attended arts events last year than professional sports events.

5) The budget cut will result in 15\% cancelled performances. Assuming that 75\% of the people attending cultural events eat out, it is estimated that 1 1/2 million people will not be spending money at restaurants!


Do the right thing. Keep arts alive in California.