A letter from two top arts advocacy groups in California on the new state support for the California Arts Council.

“[As of] June 20, 2014 the tide has turned at last for arts funding in our state! [….] Governor Jerry Brown signed the 2014-15 state budget with the Legislature’s proposed $5 million increase in arts funding intact.

We thank the Governor for upholding his belief in the importance of the arts to the well-being of California.

We thank our many friends in the Legislature who really went to bat for us this year, exploring every possible way to make it happen.

BUT MOST OF ALL, WE THANK YOU — FELLOW ARTISTS, ARTS LEADERS, ARTS PATRONS, ARTS LOVERS!

YOU patiently read and responded to our many action alerts at each stage in the process.  It is because of YOU that we were able to make our voices heard in Sacramento. And because of our collective action, Sacramento listened to us and responded.

We regard this as a wonderful first step toward full restoration and future growth in arts funding in California!

Sincerely,

CALIFORNIA ARTS ADVOCATES & CALIFORNIANS FOR THE ARTS”

Read the official press announcement by the California Arts Council.