The 2021-22 Budget: California Arts Council

analysis full gutter The 2021-22 Budget: California Arts Council FEBRUARY 2021 Overview of the California Arts Council (CAC) Statutory Goals. CAC conducts a range of on the development of various grant programs to activities in order to support arts in California. support artists and organizations. The council’s enabling legislation directs it to Governor’s Proposed Budget. The Governor’s (1) encourage artistic awareness and expression, budget proposes $48 million, mostly from the (2) assist local groups in the development of arts General Fund, for support of CAC in 2021-22. This programs, (3) promote the employment of artists in amount represents a net increase of $1.3 million both the public and private sectors, (4) provide for (3 percent) from the revised 2020-21 level. This the exhibition of artworks in public buildings, and net change primarily reflects increased funding to (5) ensure the fullest expression of artistic potential. establish a new grant program (discussed in more In carrying out these goals, CAC focuses its efforts detail below) and other budget adjustments (such as the expiration of funds provided in prior years). California Creative Corps Pilot Grant Program Governor’s Proposal have some merit, the administration has not been able to provide detailed information about Artwork to Increase Public Awareness About the proposal at this time to determine whether Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The the proposed grant program would effectively Governor’s budget proposes $15 million from achieve its intended outcomes. Specifically, the the General Fund on a one-time basis ($5 million administration has been unable to adequately in 2020-21 and $10 million in 2021-22) for CAC respond to the following key questions: to initiate the California Creative Corps pilot grant program. Under the proposal, CAC would • Who Would Administer the Grant? At the provide artists grants to support artwork designed time of this analysis, the administration has to create public awareness of the methods for not specified who would administer the new stopping the spread of COVID-19. According to the grant program. The administration indicates administration, the program would include some that it is considering two options: having CAC type of matching requirement. The administration is administer the grant or having CAC allocate requesting that the Legislature take early action on the funds to local and/or regional partners to this proposal. administer the grant. We note that there could be benefits with either approach. For example, Assessment local and/or regional partners could have greater insights into the communities where Key Questions About Proposal Remain the artwork would be displayed. In contrast, Unanswered. While the general concept of using CAC would be in a position to ensure greater artwork to promote public health messages could 2021-22 LAO Budget Series 1 analysis full gutter statewide uniformity in implementing the includes who would provide the match and program. how much of a match would be required. • How Would Funds Be Allocated? CAC Without this information, it is difficult to assess indicates that funding would be allocated to whether the matching requirement could grantees representing all 58 counties and that negatively impact the program, such as by it would target funds to certain communities unnecessarily limiting the number of artists most impacted by COVID-19, including who are able to effectively compete for grants. historically marginalized communities. However, CAC has not provided details on Recommendation how these or other criteria it would consider Withhold Action Pending Receipt of in selecting grantees would be evaluated or Key Details Regarding Proposal. While the weighed against each other. The absence proposed program could have some merit, given of such information makes it difficult for the the significant unanswered questions about Legislature to assess whether the program the proposal, it is difficult at this time to assess would target grants funds in a way that would whether the proposal would be a cost-effective effectively achieve its goals. way to create public awareness of the methods for • How Many People Will Be Reached? stopping the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, we According to CAC, it hopes to use the funds recommend that the Legislature withhold action to engage around 500 artists and that artwork on the Governor’s proposal until the administration will be placed in all 58 counties to guarantee is able to provide sufficient details about how the the largest possible reach. However, it has program would be implemented. If such information not provided estimates of the number of is provided demonstrating that the program is people that would be reached by the resulting consistent with legislative priorities and would artworks. This makes it difficult for the be a cost-effective approach in increasing public Legislature to compare the proposal to other awareness, we would recommend the Legislature forms of public health messaging—such as approve the Governor’s proposal. Otherwise, advertising—that the state could support we would recommend the Legislature reject the instead. proposal. • How Would the Matching Requirement Work? At this time, there is very little information available on how the proposed matching requirement would work. This LAO Publications This report was prepared by Drew Soderborg, and reviewed by Anthony Simbol. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) is a nonpartisan office that provides fiscal and policy information and advice to the Legislature. 2021-22 LAO Budget Series 2