Emergency Rally “Catch Up, California: Bay Area for SB 1116” Asks State Senate to Reverse Devastating Arts Underfunding

The rally is on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Bayfront Theatre in San Francisco.

By: Jun. 08, 2023
Emergency Rally “Catch Up, California: Bay Area for SB 1116” Asks State Senate to Reverse Devastating Arts Underfunding

A coalition of Bay Area performing artists are holding an emergency rally, Catch Up, California: Bay Area for SB 1116, on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Bayfront Theatre in San Francisco. Senate Bill 1116, which was signed into law by Governor Newsom last year, establishes the Equitable Payroll Fund for the nonprofit arts sector and would create jobs and revitalize local economies, but currently remains unfunded. 

Live performing arts in California are increasingly at risk. Facing rising costs and disappearing funding sources, theatres are closing at an alarming rate. For example, North Hollywood has gone from 14 theaters before the pandemic to just six, according to the Theatre Producers of Southern California. Over 20 Californian theatres have suspended production or closed since 2020, including Bay Area Children’s Theatre.

The rally requests that approximately $12 million in unspent funds in the Nonprofit Performing Arts (NPPA) Grants program remain allocated for nonprofit performing arts and be repurposed to launch a pilot of the Equitable Payroll Fund. 

According to a report by CVL Economics, in 2021 alone, the state’s Performing Arts sector lost a decade’s worth of job growth. If current trends continue, state and local governments could see a combined $4.1 billion loss in tax revenue. 

“We tend to take the arts for granted in California, but our state is ranked only 28th in arts spending per capita,” says Sean Fenton, Executive Director of Theatre Bay Area. “We need to renew our investment in the arts to remain a thriving cultural destination.

“It’s heartbreaking to see these performing arts institutions close their doors. We’re feeling the loss of not only the amazing art they produced, but also their economic and social impact on the community. Especially small organizations, where the next generation of artists gain experience and grow into leadership. These closures are cutting off the state’s talent pipeline, the effects of which we’ll be feeling for years to come.”

The coalition supporting this funding includes artist labor unions, performing arts employers, and arts advocates. Over 100 performing arts organizations across California signed their support for SB 1116.



RELATED STORIES - San Francisco / Bay Area

1
San Francisco Gay Mens Chorus Reveals Lineup For Season 46 Photo
San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Reveals Lineup For Season 46

Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg announced the three-concert lineup that makes up San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’ (SFGMC) Season 46. Learn more about the lineup and how to get tickets here!

2
Interview: Jessica Dickey of SISTERING: THE ART OF HOLDING CLOSE AND LETTING GO Explores t Photo
Interview: Jessica Dickey of SISTERING: THE ART OF HOLDING CLOSE AND LETTING GO Explores the Joys and Sorrows of a Sibling Bond That Sustains Her Life in the Theater

Broadway World talks to playwright & actor Jessica Dickey about her captivating new book 'Sistering' written with her sister Danielle Neff, a United Church of Christ pastor, about maintaining their unusually close bond while following very different paths in life.

3
AXIS Dance Company To Make Their Latin America Debut This October Photo
AXIS Dance Company To Make Their Latin America Debut This October

AXIS Dance Company is set to make their Latin America debut, bringing their innovative and inclusive approach to dance to new audiences.

4
Matthew Lópezs Hilarious THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE At Center REP, November 4- 2 Photo
Matthew López's Hilarious THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE At Center REP, November 4- 26

Center Repertory Company will present The Legend of Georgia McBride, written by Tony and Olivier Award winner Matthew López (The Inheritance, The Whipping Man, Somewhere, the book of the Broadway musical Some Like it Hot, and Amazon Studios' Red, White & Royal Blue).

More Hot Stories For You

Videos


#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical
Victoria Theatre (9/08-10/01)Tracker
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Mame
42nd Street Moon at The Gateway Theatre (11/02-11/19)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Kinky Boots
Julia Morgan Theater (9/08-10/15)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet"
California Theatre (9/09-9/24)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Hippest Trip – The Soul Train Musical
The Toni Rembe Theater (formerly The Geary Theater) (8/25-10/01)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Noises Off
Pear Theatre (9/08-10/01)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Nora: A Doll's House
City Lights Theater Company (1/18-2/18)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
The Canyon - Montclair (10/20-10/20)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Overlooked Latinas
Theatre Rhinoceros (9/21-10/01)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Oakland Theater Project (9/08-10/01)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You