Artists to Lobby for Funding

Artists and representatives from statewide arts organizations are gathering today and Friday in the state capital to support continued government arts funding.

The Joint Congress of the Arts represents the first opportunity for arts organizations scattered throughout the state to meet with their state representatives, as well as California Arts Council officials, said Adam Gottlieb, a spokesman for the arts council.

Under the auspices of California Arts Advocates, today’s events include an “arts parade” scheduled for 1:45 p.m. Nearly 1,000 artists and arts representatives will march through the city, ending on the steps of the Capitol building. The parade will be led by the UC Davis Cal Aggie Marching Band.

“Many people, when they hear the word ‘rally,’ they think of complaints--this is more of a celebration,” said Steve Lucal, association manager for the California Arts Advocates. Lucal added that he hopes the event will draw more attention--and government dollars--to the arts as the governor’s annual budget revisions are being made.