Protect Funding for Arts Programs

GUEST OPINION

At Pasadena Museum of History exhibit (Photo – Kathabela Wilson).

Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month (ACCM) is a statewide celebration organized by Californians for the Arts to advocate for arts, culture, and creativity as not only a public good – transforming communities and individuals, but also as a driver of prosperity for the California state economy.

By Jennifer Caballero

As the California budget has changed from unprecedented opportunities for funding to a projected $25 billion and growing deficit, Governor Newsom has proposed that several arts funded programs be cut from the state budget including $20 million for cultural districts and $29.5 million for museum grants. This year arts champions will gather during April to celebrate but also to protect cultural infrastructure funding, invest in the creative workforce and build for a creative future.

The California Association of Museums will continue our ongoing annual support for Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month and now our state legislators need to hear from you – the people they represent– about how their decisions affect the lives of those who care about arts and museums in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley.

The creative economy contributes $507.4 billion dollars to the state’s Gross Regional Product (GRP) and employs over 1.8 million workers, nearly 7.6% of the state’s workforce. Arts are essential to public services, education, health, and infrastructure. ACCM programs help to show that the creative industry is more than entertainment, and underscores art, culture, and creativity’s role as solution partners to the economy, innovation, and community building.

Funding for our museums and arts education is a smart investment. Cutting state funding to arts and culture takes us in the wrong direction. If you agree that the arts are an important part of our community, contact your local representative and ask them to protect funding for arts programs and organizations.

Get involved! For a complete list of events and programs associated with ACCM 2023, visit this page.

Jennifer Caballero is the Executive Director of California Association of Museums.