Press Releases Funding

Signed into law in late 2022, SB 1116 established the Equitable Payroll Fund (EPF), a grant program designed to support live performances – and workers directly – by providing reimbursements of payroll expenses. This program supports jobs for both production and non-production employees at small nonprofit performing arts organizations (SNPAOs) with adjusted gross revenue under $2 million. 

Actors' Equity Association has released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump's new budget proposal which moves to make major cuts to federal agencies.

Newsom’s Draconian 58% Cuts to Critical Arts Programming to have Catastrophic Consequences on Creative Industry That Supports 847,688 Jobs; Rural Communities and Communities of Color to be Most Impacted

Actors’ Equity Association released the following statement applauding Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing the SB 104/AB 104 trailer bills, which reallocate $11.5 million in unused arts funding for SB 1116, a measure introduced by Senator Anthony Portantino (D – Burbank), that creates a payroll fund to support small nonprofit performing arts organizations (SNPAOs).

Actors’ Equity Association commends California for language in SB 104/AB 104 trailer bills that would reallocate $11.5 million in unused arts funding for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund.

The pandemic erased a 10-year period of explosive growth in California’s Performing Arts sector, resulting in a loss of more than 168,000 jobs and $11 billion in economic value throughout the economy

Coalition of unions and employers are seeking funding for the Equitable Payroll Fund to kickstart live arts jobs

A coalition including Actors’ Equity Association and the Theatre Producers of Southern California (TPSCA) kicked off a campaign to fund SB 1116, the groundbreaking arts bill that passed the legislature and was signed into law last year.

Actors' Equity Association, the national union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers working in live theatre, released a statement after Congress passed an FY23 budget that funded the National Endowment for the Arts at $207 million – an increase of $27 million over FY22.

Union Calls on Gov. Newsom to Support the Innovative Bill From Sen. Portantino That Ensures Arts Funding Goes to Arts Workers and Helps Small Nonprofits with Payroll 

Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has voiced its support for The Arts and Music in Schools Ballot initiative that would generate roughly $900 million in funding each year towards arts education in California public schools.