Governor Newsom Signs Bill Securing Critical Funds to Support Creative Worker Jobs

SB104/AB104 will reallocate $11.5 million in unexpended funds from previously established grant programs for the performing arts to the Fund.

By: Sep. 20, 2023

Governor Newsom Signs Bill Securing Critical Funds to Support Creative Worker Jobs Theatre Producers of Southern California, known as TPSCA, revealed that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law Budget Trailer Bill SB104/AB104, which includes funds to implement SB1116 The Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, authored by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) and co-sponsored by TPSCA and Actors’ Equity Association.

SB104/AB104 will reallocate $11.5 million in unexpended funds from previously established grant programs for the performing arts to the Fund, with $7.5 million coming from unused funds in the Nonprofit Performing Arts grant program, and $4 million from the California Venues grant program. Once established, the Equitable Payroll Fund will be used to reimburse payroll expenses for small nonprofit theaters, dance companies, choruses, opera houses, symphonies and other nonprofit performing arts organizations. 

“We believe this represents a critical step toward rebuilding sustainability for California's small nonprofit performing arts organizations, and for expanding job opportunities for thousands of underemployed creative workers in the sector,” says TPSCA board president Martha Demson. “We want to thank Senator Portantino for championing our cause over the past two years, and for his stalwart efforts in seeking to repurpose unexpended funds from earlier relief grant programs. We also want to express our gratitude to Governor Newsom for keeping these much needed dollars in the performing arts.”

“As we work to ensure that the Fund becomes accessible to all eligible organizations, we want to acknowledge the extraordinary partnership with Actors’ Equity Association that has brought us to this point,” she continues. “The dedication and experience of Actors' Equity national policy director Brandon Lorenz and the wisdom and advocacy of president Kate Shindle have been critical to our success, as has been the unflagging support of California Arts Advocates CEO Julie Baker and the passion of the entire SB1116 coalition that never wavered in its purpose or advocacy.”

“This is a critical time for everyone in the live arts, and I’m thrilled to see that California has met the moment at a perilous time for small theaters statewide,” says Shindle. “This funding is a win for everyone. It will ensure that actors, stage managers and other creative professionals are properly classified as employees — ensuring protections like workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance — while providing resources to not-for-profit theaters struggling to comply with that additional expense. This temporary relief will offer stability and growth potential, which will help communities of all sizes throughout the state. Live performing arts generate a halo effect that benefits nearby small businesses: restaurants, hotels and more. I am so thankful we had a champion like Senator Portantino leading the charge for us over the last year. We look forward to building on this work in the months ahead.”

“California Arts Advocates is grateful to Senator Portantino for his steadfast leadership for arts workers and for a thriving nonprofit performing arts ecosystem,” agrees Baker. “We also recognize the support of Governor Newsom, and the legislative leadership teams for ensuring there are funds to implement SB 1116. The timing could not be more critical as we know this sector of the arts is slower to rebound. Due to a confluence of reasons, including systemic undercapitalization of the arts, many in the nonprofit live arts are hanging on by a thread. SB 1116 is an innovative solution to ensure there are well paid jobs and creative incubators for performing arts. However, the funding is much smaller than the problem and we look forward to working with the legislature and administration to ensure both swift and equitable implementation of the bill and increased investment overall in the future of the creative workforce, a vital yet vulnerable industry."

In a groundbreaking innovation, the Equitable Payroll Fund will award the highest-percentage reimbursements to the smallest organizations, reversing the typical arts funding tendency to reward the most established institutions and elevating the role smaller organizations have to play in generating equitable opportunities across the state. 

A new study by CVL Economics, the firm behind the annual Otis College Report on the Creative Economy, found that the California performing arts sector generates significant economy activity. According to the study, “for every 100 performing arts jobs, an additional 156 jobs were supported in other sectors through downstream impacts. Each Performing Arts job resulted in $13,287 additional state and local tax revenue.”

BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Los Angeles

1
BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards; 44: THE UNOFFICIAL, UNSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL, 1984, Ho Photo
BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards; 44: THE UNOFFICIAL, UNSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL, 1984, House of Bards Theatre Company & More Lead!

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2
Photos: Go Inside the ALL OF US STRANGERS Premiere with CASAMIGOS Photo
Photos: Go Inside the ALL OF US STRANGERS Premiere with CASAMIGOS

Last night in Los Angeles, Casamigos joined Fox Searchlight at the premiere of their new drama “All Of Us Strangers”. Check out the photos here!

3
Review: THE WHITE (ALBUM) CHRISTMAS at Colony Theatre Photo
Review: THE WHITE (ALBUM) CHRISTMAS at Colony Theatre

The award-winning Troubadour Theater Company has been doing their beloved annual Christmas mashup shows for decades, with loyal fans who return year after year. The closest thing I can compare it to is live performances I have seen of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

4
The Major Hope Foundation Brings A MAJOR DAY OF HOPE to Los Angeles Photo
The Major Hope Foundation Brings A MAJOR DAY OF HOPE to Los Angeles

The Hope Foundation will facilitate random 'Drops of Hope' pop-up events throughout LA County, including free grocery purchases, free gas purchases, free donations of socks and footwear as well as volunteer opportunities for community cleanup and city beautification projects.

More Hot Stories For You

Videos


Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar ¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva America! in Los Angeles Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar ¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva America!
Carpenter Performing Arts Center (3/23-3/23)
An Evening with Henry Winkler in Los Angeles An Evening with Henry Winkler
Carpenter Performing Arts Center (1/20-1/20)
Richie Furay in Los Angeles Richie Furay
Smothers Theatre (4/20-4/20)
JIG: A Trinity Irish Dance Company Production in Los Angeles JIG: A Trinity Irish Dance Company Production
Smothers Theatre (2/06-2/06)
Halie Loren: A Season of Light in Los Angeles Halie Loren: A Season of Light
Wallis Anneberg Center for the Performing Arts (12/16-12/16)
LA Phil's Chamber Music and Wine: March 5 Brahms and Beach in Los Angeles LA Phil's Chamber Music and Wine: March 5 Brahms and Beach
Walt Disney Concert Hall (3/05-3/05)
Ballet Hispánico's Doña Perón in Los Angeles Ballet Hispánico's Doña Perón
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Los Angeles Music Center (7/12-7/14)
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians: The Greatest Story Every Told in Los Angeles Santa Claus Conquers the Martians: The Greatest Story Every Told
Sherry Theater (12/01-12/17)
Girl From the North Country in Los Angeles Girl From the North Country
Pantages Theatre (5/14-6/02)
The Glass Menagerie in Los Angeles The Glass Menagerie
Diversionary Theatre (11/30-12/23)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You