Report from California Arts Council's 4/28/2023 Public Meeting

Actions Taken:
There were two voting items on the agenda, other than voting on the minutes.

Item 9 – Voting item on Grant Panelists Pool – presented by Ayanna Kiburi PASSED

• Presented memo that included demographic information and bios on all 801 applicants to be a panelist, this data can be found in the meeting packet, Tab D HERE
• The council will vote on the group of panelists, then the specific panelists for each program will be selected from this list.  All 801 will not serve on a panel
• The point of the memo and presentation is to review the recruitment process and the demographics of the applicants
• It was noted that every effort was taken to spread news of the opportunity as widely as possible, in an effort to gather as diverse a pool as possible. 
• There will be a difference between the diversity of the full pool, and the individual panels that will be pulled from the pool
• Both during public comment and Council discussion it was noted that Council is encouraged to find ways for the panelists to meet together and collaborate on their evaluation of the grants they are reviewing 

Item 14 – Voting Item Fiscal sponsor change request – Leah Goodwin - PASSED

• Grantee Scholarship Audition Preparatory Academy has requested to change their fiscal sponsor because the existing Fiscal Sponsor can’t fulfill the role.  They are requesting to change the Fiscal Sponsor to Community Partners.
• Jonathan asked to consider the policy to make it official that if the situation is not the fault of the fiscally sponsored that the staff can approve requests like this, instead of needing to bring it to the full council for a vote. Allowing the staff to approve a change of this nature will prevent delays in the grantees getting their funds.

Notes on non-voting items:
In the Chair’s Report Chair Montoya mentioned ACCM, the CA Arts and Culture Summit and Advocacy Day. She talked about the panel she was on during the Summit, and how impactful and inspiring the entire day was. She also talked about Advocacy Day and the exciting “swarm” of Arts Advocates that brought the message of the importance of arts funding to the legislators.  She thanked Californians for the Arts, and particularly CEO Julie Baker, for the incredible work in making both events possible.

CAC staff presented CAC Arts & Youth Programming Update:

CAC Arts & Youth programming is funded through General Fund Local Assistance funds.
Programs under Arts & Youth are currently funded for 2 years, they will be considered again in 2024. The programs currently are:

• Artists in Schools - Supporting projects integrating community arts partners as part of the regular school day
• Arts Education Exposure - Supporting student attendance at arts performances and exhibits
• Arts Integration Training - Supporting arts integration training for educators facilitated by teaching artists
• Creative Youth Development - Supporting arts projects for youth outside of traditional school hours
• JUMP StArts - Supporting arts education projects for youth impacted by the justice system

Impact of 2021 One-Time Funding:
With the $40 million investment in Arts & Youth in 2021, the CAC was able to:
•More than double its grant funding to the field in the 2022-2023 year
•Serve 10% more counties –including some of the state’s most rural areas
•Serve 26% more grantees overall
•Offer multi-year grant awards in these programs for the first time
•Greatly increase the depth of impact and number of youth serve

Considerations Moving Forward - suggestions from staff for Council to consider
•Need Remains High: The CAC funded a slightly smaller percentage of applications in 2022 (~66%) than in 2021 (~69%). This increase in applications demonstrates an elevation of need in this area of funding. •One-Time Funding Allocation: If the one-time 2021 funds are not renewed, funding for Arts & Youth programming beginning in 2025 will be only a percentage of the CAC’s baseline funding, competing for funds with all of the agency’s other project-based, regranting, and operating support programs. It was noted that this is a priority for advocacy and legislative efforts.
•Culturally and Linguistically-Responsive Arts Education: In all its Arts & Youth programs, CAC funds culturally and linguistically-responsive arts learning opportunities that are often not included in standard curricula.
•Leveraging Other Arts Funding: This past fall, voters approved Prop 28 which guarantees 1% of state  education funding for arts and music. Given the requirements for that funding, it is likely there will be even greater school interest and capacity to participate in CAC’s programs.

During the Council discussion the following notes were made:

Jonathan Moscone noted that this is a great time to deepen the Council’s relationship with Create CA, to make it as strong as the relationship with Californians for the Arts. With the coming years where the level of funding is definitely going to be lower, the council needs to leverage as many partnerships as possible to make the most of the funding that there is.  He also noted that we need to focus on supporting programs that have the most impact.  

Chello Montoya also noted that in budget committee hearings what they want to see is data. It is important for applicants to find the best ways to measure and report the impact of their programs.  That then provides the data that can be used in advocacy.

In response to a Council question it was reported that there are currently funded programs in 44 of 58 counties in the state.  During the next funding cycle priority will be placed on encouraging getting applications for those remaining counties.