Please bring your voice to Sacramento next Wednesday, May 14th as the Joint Committee on the Arts holds a hearing on how changes to federal cultural policy are impacting Californians. 

 Advocates are needed to give public comment at this hearing:

• State of the Arts: How Current Federal Policies Are Impacting Arts, Culture, and the Humanities in California 
• 9:00 am - Wednesday, May 14th
• Room 2100, 1021 O Street, Sacramento, CA.

We anticipate public comment starting around 11 am, but it's crucial to have a full audience present from the beginning of the hearing. This will demonstrate our unified strength to lawmakers.

If you can attend:

• Please RSVP to Tracy@caforthearts.org and include your cell phone 
• Prepare both a 2-minute and 1-minute comment on the impact of federal policy changes (we may be asked to shorten comments) - see more below*

Along with receiving public comment, the Committee will listen to testimony from various speakers, including Julie Baker, CEO CA for the Arts, CA Arts Advocates; Danielle Brazell, ED, California Arts Council;  Greg Lucas, CA State Librarian; Erin Harkey, CEO, Americans for the Arts and Rick Noguchi, CEO, California Humanities, among others. The Hearing Agenda is to be posted here soon.

Recommended Public Comment strategy:

• Introduce self: name, organization, city or county
• Impact point: how does the policy change or grant termination impact your service to the community and how will it directly impact jobs and the local economy
• Urge action point: Why now is the time for California to invest in arts and culture 

If you do come to the Capitol on May 14th, we recommend that you also try to meet with your lawmakers or stop by their offices while there. Our Lawmaker Contact List has the email address for their scheduler or a link to request a meeting online.

By May 14th, we will know the Governor's May budget regarding state arts funding (increase, decrease or flat). We will provide updates and may require immediate action from you to safeguard California arts funding. Please stay informed.

Showing up and sharing your stories has great significance for your lawmakers. They want to hear from constituent like you!