Urbanowski: The arts need more investment from the state

As 2026 unfolds, we’re seeing urgent calls for artists, creatives and cultural leaders to step into their power and be the voice of our communities.

Artists make California vibrant, innovative and culturally rich, yet our state ranks 35th nationally in per capita arts funding. When the state budget allocates just 53 cents per person to the arts, it’s clear how little we’re investing in the creative workers who shape the state’s identity and economy.

California’s artists are delivering extraordinary value with minimal investment. Imagine what a stronger commitment to the arts could do for our communities, our economy and our future. It’s time for our funding priorities to reflect the true value of creativity in the state.

In November, the Coalition of County Arts Agencies (which includes SV Creates, representing Santa Clara County) and California Arts Advocates (a statewide advocacy organization on whose board I serve) submitted a joint budget letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom. This letter requested an increase in the California Arts Council budget — the state’s arts agency, which gives grants to arts groups — from the current $21 million to $50 million, coinciding with the arts council’s 50th anniversary.

Unfortunately, the governor’s budget proposal, released Jan. 9, did not incorporate this funding increase. While it contains significant proposals for areas like higher education, housing, homelessness and health care, it includes no meaningful new investments to sustain California’s vital arts and culture workforce.

However, this marks only the beginning of the annual state budget process. California Arts Advocates’ immediate next step is to advocate to the Legislature, urging them to recognize the value of this investment and prioritize the requested increase for the 2026-27 budget. CA For The Arts will also launch a public will-building media campaign. Additional funding for the arts council could support grants to dozens of cultural organizations in Santa Clara County, opportunities for hundreds of working artists and programs providing arts experience for youth throughout our region.

In Santa Clara County, our own elected state representatives have supported the critical role the arts play in workforce development, economic revitalization, community building and social justice. We thank them for their leadership and look forward to continuing to collaborate to advance these objectives.

A few key arguments for increasing the California Arts Council’s ongoing funding to $50 million this year include:

• Significant Economic Impact: Arts and culture generate jobs, stimulate local economies and attract tourism, and the creative economy is a strategic sector in the State Economic Blueprint.
• Severe Underfunding: Despite being a culturally rich state, California ranks 35th nationally in per capita arts funding. The current $21 million in local assistance grants is insufficient, as the arts council recently received nearly $90 million in eligible applications, forcing difficult decisions.
• Disproportionate Funding Decline: The current funding is lower than it was 25 years ago. In 2000-01, the agency’s budget was $30.7 million — $59 million in today’s dollars. While the state budget has more than doubled since that time, the arts council is being asked to serve the state with 63% less funding.
• Alignment with State Priorities: Investment in the arts aligns with the Legislature’s priorities by increasing social connection (addressing loneliness and mental health), supporting career education and aligning with workforce development goals through programs like the successful CA Creative Corps.
• Creative Economy Plan Implementation: The success of the newly released CA Creative Economy Strategic Plan is contingent upon the allocation of sufficient resources to the arts council.
• Milestone Opportunity: Increased funding offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the arts council’s 50th anniversary in 2026.

I invite you to sign up for the California Arts Advocates newsletter and keep up to date on the status of the arts in our state. More funding for the California Arts Council will mean more cultural resources and arts programs for our own local communities, youth and families.

Alexandra Urbanowski is CEO of SV Creates, the state and county designated arts service organization and local arts agency for Santa Clara County. She serves on the leadership committee for the California Coalition of County Art Agencies and is on the board of the statewide arts advocacy organization California for the Arts/California Arts Advocates. Her columns appear every first Wednesday of the month. Contact Alexandra at [email protected].