Arts Advocates released the following statements after the state legislature restored a surprise budget cut from Gov. Gavin Newsom in May that would eliminate $11.5 million in arts funding for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, (PAEPF) a program dedicated to funding arts workers in small nonprofit arts organizations, including theatres, orchestras and dance organizations.
"The Equitable Payroll Fund supports critically important arts programs in dozens of small nonprofit live arts organizations, from live theatre to orchestras, operas, chorus and dance," said Brooke Shields, president of Actors' Equity Association. "The legislature restored this funding because they understand that it means more jobs and more arts programs in small and midsized communities in California. And that means even more economic activity, since each ticket holder for one of these shows generates an average of $38.46 in additional economic activity for local businesses. I'm grateful for the state legislature in fighting for this program which so many nonprofit employers have been counting on."