Californians will once again have the opportunity to support the California Arts Council and its arts programs for children through their state individual tax refund. Yesterday, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Senate Bill 571 (Senator Carol Liu, La Canada Flintridge), returning the arts to the voluntary contribution portion of California tax return forms through the new “Keep Arts in Schools Fund.”

“This is wonderful news for California’s young people,” said Craig Watson, Director of the California Arts Council. “We hope all those who know arts education results in future success for California’s children will take advantage of this opportunity to directly contribute to arts education via their tax return.”

He continued, “We are grateful to Senator Carol Liu for shepherding the enabling legislation that allows Californians to directly contribute to arts education through voluntary contributions on their tax form.”

Individuals may make tax-deductible contributions in amounts of $1 or more. Arts supporters who use accounting services should tell their tax preparers about contributing to the “Keep Arts in Schools Fund,” and encourage others to pursue this opportunity to support California arts education. The California Arts Council will provide detailed information and tutorials on how to contribute as tax season approaches via their website www.arts.ca.gov.

Previously, the California Arts Council participated in the voluntary contribution program through the “Arts Council Fund,” but was eliminated after 2011 tax year contributions fell short of the $250,000 minimum required to stay on the form.

“With the improved fund name and designation of all contributions to support arts education in California communities, the ‘Keep Arts in Schools Fund’ is sure to succeed in bringing much needed support to arts education in the state,” Watson said.

The 2013 tax return form (to complete in 2014) from the Franchise Tax Board will allow California taxpayers to contribute to the “Keep Arts in Schools Fund” in the “Voluntary Contribution” section. Senate Bill 571 was originally authored and introduced by Senator Curren D. Price, former chair of the Joint Committee of the Arts. Authorship was assumed by Senator Carol Liu when Senator Price was elected to the Los Angeles City Council earlier this year.

Californians can also support arts education by purchasing the “Arts Plate,” the iconic license plate with a sunset and palm tree motif designed by California artist Wayne Thiebaud. More information is available at www.artsplate.org.

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The Mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Wylie Aitken, Vice Chair Susan Steinhauser, Michael Alexander, Christopher Coppola, Andrew Green, Charmaine Jefferson, Terry Lenihan, William Turner, and Rosalind Wyman.