SACRAMENTO, CA – A new report published by the California Arts Council examines the financial investments county and municipal governments make in their designated county local arts agencies, or State-Local Partners. Additionally, it explores the impact of local arts agencies both in the communities they serve and statewide.

State-Local Partnership Program Background

The California Arts Council invests annually in designated county local arts agencies through the State-Local Partnership Program. With designation from their County Board of Supervisors, currently 53 county local arts agencies serve as State-Local Partners. The program fosters cultural development on the local level through a partnership between the State and the counties in California, offering operating support and technical assistance for designated county local arts agencies.

The California Arts Council recognizes the success of achieving community health, well-being, resilience, and equity relies on our state’s arts ecosystem. This diverse network, made up of local arts organizations, artists, arts educators, community groups, and business partners, is a vital contributor to a region’s cultural, economic, civic, and educational fabric. It creates jobs, stimulates dialogue, advances cultural equity, preserves a community’s identity, and promotes positive change for the future of our state.

The Report

The report highlights the ongoing work of the State-Local Partners in their communities to develop strategic partnerships, provide accessible community programming, and address social challenges. It also features a data table displaying the funding variability many county local arts agencies experience as they attempt to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

The state recognizes the importance of its financial contributions to these organizations; however, county and municipal (city or town) governments do not consistently invest in California’s county local arts agencies. This report emphasizes the opportunity for local governments to join the California Arts Council in recognizing the importance of county arts agencies by providing sustainable local funding.

The “California County Local Arts Agency: Impact & Local Government Funding Report” can be viewed and downloaded for free here.

Individuals who do not use conventional print materials or require access to materials in languages other than English may contact the California Arts Council at 916-322-6555 or email access@arts.ca.gov to obtain this publication in an alternate format or language.