Knowledge is Power. Ensure this work reaches more communities, leaders, and change-makers

An Informed Arts Ecosystem Is an Empowered One

When artists, organizations, policymakers, and the public understand how the arts intersect with policy, education, health, and the economy, they can advocate more effectively and build stronger, more sustainable communities. Education isn’t just about awareness—it’s about action, equity, and ensuring that creativity is recognized as essential to California’s future.

California for the Arts empowers your voice – making advocacy easier through education, outreach, and community empowerment, while California Arts Advocates leads the charge in Sacramento, fighting for funding, policy change, and increasing public investment in the arts. Our work may be behind the scenes, but we’ve never given up.

As a collective, we learn just as much from one another - we educate advocates on policy priorities; share news that impact the arts; and offer tools and resources to support casemaking.

Knowledge is power and as a member, we are turning that power into impact. Due to behind the scenes work in the legislature and visibly with grassroots advocacy, this has led us to: 

• Testify at the State of the Arts Joint Committee Hearing on May 14th: We were invited to speak directly to the legislature - because our knowledge is being recognized at the Capitol, and when we talk, they are listening. 
• Serve as Coalition Partner in the fight to Save the PAEPF: We’ve been on the front lines, educating lawmakers about what’s at stake.
• Mobilize Advocates Against CAC Budget Cuts: Through action alerts, grassroots campaigns, toolkits, and strategic communications, we’ve empowered thousands in recent years to speak up.
• Co-host a Lunch & Learn on Advocacy Priorities at the 2025 CA Arts & Culture Summit: Together with Creative West Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy Cynthia Chen, we helped demystify the legislative landscape for arts leaders across the state.

Building an Informed Arts Advocacy Network

As a member, you help support our commitment to building a more informed and effective arts advocacy community. Your membership supports free, accessible resources such as:

📣 Action Alerts: From budget changes to advocacy campaigns like Save PAEPF, our alerts ensure you’re ready to act.

🗂️ Toolkits: Access practical guides like our Implementing AB 812 toolkit and Guide to Successful Advocacy - created to inform and empower your voice.

🧰 Casemaking Resources: Need to advocate for SB 456? Our data-driven resources on our CA for the Arts website can help! 

📺 Video Library: Watch recordings like our Arts Advocacy Strategy Session on our CA for the Arts website.

🎓 Wonky Wednesdays: Designed for those ready to dive deep into cultural policy, state budget, and legislative processes.

This is how we educate the ecosystem—together. Your support ensures this work reaches more communities, more leaders, and more change-makers.

Become a member or renew today to keep these resources growing and knowledge flowing to those who need it most.

Help us reach our goal of $30,000 to each organization and join as a member for as little as $5 a month. Support building strong regional and statewide arts advocacy networks, and keep our programs FREE and accessible for all.

Your voice is needed now more than ever. Join us today to inspire the urgent societal change we need.