SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom today unveiled his 2022-23 state budget proposal, the California Blueprint, that includes the following increased general fund allocations for the California Arts Council (CAC), California’s state arts agency:

• SUPPORT FOR CULTURAL DISTRICTS. The budget includes a $30 million one-time general fund allocation, to be spent over three years, to support the 14 existing California Cultural Districts. Funding will also expand the Cultural Districts program to support traditionally underserved communities that reflect the geographic and racial diversity of the state, and enable the Arts Council to provide technical assistance. 
• CALIFORNIA POET LAUREATE AND YOUTH POET LAUREATE. The budget includes a $173,000 ongoing general fund allocation to support the California Poet Laureate and California Youth Poet Laureate. This funding will also enable the Arts Council to provide outreach and technical assistance to all 58 counties for literary arts initiatives, including the Poet Laureate, Youth Poet Laureate, and Poetry Out Loud programs. 
• STATE PARKS PARTNERSHIP. The budget includes a $50 million one-time general fund for the California Department of Parks and Recreation to create new California Cultural and Art Installations in the Parks Program for state and local parks. Art installations will reflect local cultural heritages, connect the public to natural resources of state and local parks, and provide contemporary experiences to visitors (see the Natural Resources Chapter of the Governor’s full budget summary for more information).

“We are grateful to Governor Newsom for his thoughtful leadership in prioritizing our California Cultural Districts, supporting the California Poet Laureate program, and creating new California Cultural and Art Installations in his California Blueprint,” said CAC Executive Director Anne Bown-Crawford. “These initiatives demonstrate a clear response to local needs and priorities by placing arts and culture at the center of cross-sector partnerships in an effort to build community connection and resiliency.”

“Governor Newsom recognizes that investing in the arts is an investment in the growth of our communities and California as a whole,” added Council Chair Lilia Gonzáles-Chávez of Fresno. “We look forward to working with the Governor’s Office and the Legislature throughout this year’s budget process in support of Governor Newsom’s vision of all Californians striving and succeeding together, in pursuit of a California for all.”

The Governor’s proposal is the first step in the 2022-23 state budget process, which will continue to be developed in partnership with the Legislature this year. The Governor in June will take action on the final state budget.

The Governor’s full budget proposal is posted at www.ebudget.ca.gov.

Media Inquiries:
Mark DeSio
Public Affairs Director
mark.desio@arts.ca.gov

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The California Arts Council is a state agency with a mission of strengthening arts, culture, and creative expression as the tools to cultivate a better California for all. It supports local arts infrastructure and programming statewide through grants, initiatives, and services. The California Arts Council envisions a California where all people flourish with universal access to and participation in the arts.

Members of the California Arts Council include: Lilia Gonzáles-Chávez, Chair; Consuelo Montoya, Vice Chair; Vicki Estrada, Jodie Evans, Stanlee Gatti, Alex Israel, and Jonathan Moscone. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.

The California Arts Council is committed to increasing the accessibility of its online content. For language and accessibility assistance, visit https://arts.ca.gov/about/about-us/language-communications-assistance.