April 10, 2007The Honorable Betty Karnette
Member of the California State LegislaturePosition: SUPPORT
Position: SUPPORTState Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814 Location: Assembly Arts,Entertainment, Sports,
Location: Assembly Arts,Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media CommitteeRe: Assembly Bill 1365: California Arts Council Funding
Dear Assembly Member Karnette:
California Arts Advocates (CAA) represents artists, arts organizations, and Californians who support the Arts. Its membership is a broad spectrum of budget sizes, arts disciplines, diverse cultures, audiences and regions. Its membership also includes non-profit arts organizations who serve communities with the help of California Arts Council (CAC) funding and programs.
On behalf of its members, CAA thanks you for introducing AB 1365 and supports its passage. California is in its fourth year spending three cents per capita from the general fund on the arts and it remains last in the nation for state spending. AB 1365 will provide badly needed funding for the CAC and in turn it can provide programs for all Californians, not just for some.
•The non-profit arts community, large and small, that the California Arts Council has nurtured over the
The non-profit arts community, large and small, that the California Arts Council has nurtured over the years is a feeder to California's very profitable creative industry that employs 426,222 as of January
2007. (Dun & Bradstreet data.)
•Non-profit arts organizations are a proven economic driver for California’s economy, a $5.4 billion
Non-profit arts organizations are a proven economic driver for California’s economy, a $5.4 billion industry that generates $300 million in state and local taxes.
•Providing a designated funding stream for the CAC can help grow programs that help non-profit arts
Providing a designated funding stream for the CAC can help grow programs that help non-profit arts organizations and artists serve 37 million Californians and the millions of people who visit California
every day.
The arts are vital to the quality of life that we are so very proud of in California. With your legislation supporting new funding for the California Arts Council and its programs, the arts can continue to be a significant contributor to California's economic recovery through tourism, jobs, social services and education outreach. AB 1365 proposes a sound investment for California.
Thank you for your commitment to a better California. If there are any questions, please feel free to call our legislative advocate, Ms. Kathryn Lynch at (916) 443-0202.
Sincerely,
Lisa Cullen Caretto
President
CC: Ms. Kellie Smith, Consultant, Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media
Ms. Kellie Smith, Consultant, Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media CommitteeKathryn Lynch, Legislative Advocate, Lynch & AssociatesCalifornia Arts Advocate Boards MembersP.O. Box 601902 • Sacramento, CA 95860 • T (916) 973-0807 • F (916) 979-1116www.CaliforniaArtsAdvocates.org • Advocacy@CaliforniaArtsAdvocates.org
