Real change happens when we show up—for each other.

When building a movement, like building a strong community, we show up for each other. In nature, nothing blooms alone. Trees lean on ecosystems, and we lean on each other. Even small actions create ripples of renewal. When we show up for each other, we show up for the arts. Be part of the movement—join or renew today.

Advocacy is more than policy—it’s about people showing up for one another. It’s about artists, organizers, and lawmakers uniting to build a future where creativity and culture are valued, resourced, and protected.

How We’re Showing Up for You

We show up …

• 🎭 For performing arts organizations, co-leading a statewide coalition to protect the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, alongside partners like Actors’ Equity, Theatre Producers of Southern California, Arts for LA, Theatre Bay Area, and Association of California Symphony Orchestras.
• 🎨 For artists, helping get SB 456 (Ashby) passed unanimously in the Senate, which aims to remove barriers for muralists to practice their craft.
• 💬 For local communities, convening Statewide and Regional Networks, State & Local Partners, and hosting regional conversations that connect on-the-ground voices to statewide policy.
• 📣 For artist advocates, launching the GAAP Fellowship and expanding our Regional Advocacy Infrastructure Network to strengthen grassroots leadership.
•  ✊In solidarity with California Humanities and other service organizations against proposed budget cuts to the arts and humanities, mobilizing our networks to protect cultural funding at the state and federal levels.

We serve as a bridge between public policy and the arts and culture sector as we advocate for equitable public funding, thriving and sustainable conditions for creative workers and the creative economy, and other core policy priorities.

How You Show Up for Us

Local arts advocates have answered the call and have shown up in culturally relevant and meaningful ways to support our work, and to support the work of artists throughout California.

• More than twenty advocates from across the state showed up at the State of the Arts hearing in Sacramento on Wed, May 14, 2025 and subsequent budget hearings.
• On that day, when we learned that the Governor’s Budget called for the elimination of the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, we partnered with Actors’ Equity, Arts for LA, Theatre Producers of Southern California, Theatre Bay Area, Association of California Symphony Orchestras to equip advocates with the tools they needed to fight this budget cut
• To date, over 500 advocates have stood up; attending hearings, making calls, sending letters, attending Press Conferences and rallies, and more.
• Because of our advocacy, $11.5M has been restored in the current budget draft 🎉🎉🎉

There Are Many Ways to Show Up

We’re proud to work with arts champions like Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Matt Haney, Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and many others who are showing up for the arts.

But we can’t do this work without you.

✨ Show up for the arts by joining or renewing your membership.

Your membership fuels the movement. It helps us train advocates, fight for funding, build coalitions, and protect California’s vibrant creative economy.

Showing Up for Our Members

All members have the opportunity to submit job opportunities to our website. With our platform, you can spread the word about your job opportunity across the state, reaching an audience of 40,000+!

Because when we show up together—we build a future where everyone’s creativity counts.

Become a member or renew today for as little as $5/month so we can keep showing up for YOU!

We need to raise $30,000 for both organizations by June 30th — and every member counts. Will you join us today?

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