Advocates to Speak Out Against State Cuts

Hoping to avert a major cut to the state arts budget, 150 arts advocates are expected to converge at the state Capitol in Sacramento today for Arts Day, an annual lobbying effort.

Gov. George Deukmejian has proposed trimming the California Arts Council’s $15.6-million budget by $3 million (20%) for fiscal 1989-90, which begins July 1. The California Confederation of the Arts, an advocacy organization sponsoring the 11th annual Arts Day, is recommending an increase of $2.2 million.

“This is the largest cut the governor has ever proposed for the council’s budget,” said confederation executive director Susan Hoffman. “In his second year, he proposed a $2-million reduction. It’s the most serious challenge to the budget we’ve had since the council’s inception” in 1975.

The council, a state agency that awards grants to artists and nonprofit arts institutions, has recommended a $2.3-million increase for its budget. The Democratic-controlled state Legislature, which usually follows the confederation’s budget request, is scheduled to take up the matter within the next few weeks.

In addition to legislative lobbying, a key activity of Arts Day will be a hearing held by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Arts on the relationship between California’s commercial and nonprofit arts industries.

The hearing, from 3-5 p.m., will explore the state’s role in sustaining the talent pool created by the nonprofit art community that is regularly tapped by commercial film, television and design enterprises, said a legislative consultant.

Actor Peter Coyote, who was chairman of the council from 1976 to 1979, is among those scheduled to testify.

By design, the turnout expected at this year’s Arts Day is less than half the usual. Because of increased travel costs, organizers have invited key confederation members from each legislative district rather than the organization’s entire membership of artists and officers from arts institutions, Hoffman said. Those who stay at home are being asked to campaign for support at their legislative district offices and with their county supervisors, city councilmen and local businesses.