Bay Area Arts Worker Relief Fund Begins Second Wave of Grant Awards - All workers in the visual, literary, media, film, and video arts seeking financial support are encouraged to apply!

Due to the Covid-19 Crisis Artists, Workers, and Organizations Are Struggling.

The cancelation and closure of events, performances, and programs are having a drastic effect on the arts and culture sector and its workers.

Please help by donating to the Bay Area Arts Worker Relief Funds, NOW.  

Arts for a Better Bay Area has joined with several local Bay Area arts service organizations to establish funds to aid cultural workers (sector-wide) during the crisis.

Thanks to the following organizations for stepping up to develop this initiative to assist arts workers in need: Artspan, Dancer's Group, Emerging Arts Professionals, Independent Arts & Media, Intersection for the Arts, and Theatre Bay Area 

AB-5 went into law on January 1, 2020. While it intends to protect workers, there is much concern from many sectors of the economy and workforce about the possible negative impacts the law will have on businesses, nonprofits, and independent workers.

Assembly Member Gonzalez’s (author) is now reviewing and considering amending and clarifying the law, now called AB-1850. Continue reading to learn how to send your messages, opinions, and requests to lawmakers.

If You Are an Arts and Culture Organization that Retains Independent Contractors, or, You Are an Independent Contractor -- Make Sure You Are Informed About State Law AB-5 and How it can Affect You

AB-5 Will Go Into Effect on January 1, 2020, So There Is No Time to Waste!

AB-5 tightens up the rules used to determine whether a worker can be classified as an independent contractor. While the bill intends to advance worker rights, benefits, and protections (only available to employees), the law will have an impact on arts sector organizations and individuals. Use this page to access a variety of materials and opportunities to learn more!

Also, please take this short survey by Californians for the Arts and share so arts advocates can learn more about your interests and concerns to share with lawmakers!

April

• ‘San Francisco Arts Post Prop E, A Policy Win for Arts & Culture. NOW, WHAT?’ convening brought together 30+ arts and culture community members to discuss local advocacy for the arts, share ideas, and pose questions.
• ABBA joined over 200 arts and culture leaders, organizations and advocates from California in Sacramento for the first annual statewide Advocacy Day.

May

• Arts for a Better Bay Area joined 29 other Bay Area arts/culture and nonprofit leaders to discuss San Francisco Arts Commission and Grants for the Arts recommendations for the Arts Impact Endowment (AIE) in a 2-day Working Group.

Proposition E, Hotel Tax Allocation Initiative Ordinance for Arts and Culture in San Francisco WINS at 74%

On November 6th, 2018, Election Day, San Francisco voters chose to prioritize and claim arts and culture as essential to the City – with the passing of Proposition E.

Proposition E requires 2/3rds vote to pass and needs the community's support to inform, educate and engage the public on the importance of passing the measure. Proposition E, if passed will benefit the entire City and all who visit by increasing arts and culture opportunities for all.

Here are some ideas on how you or your organization can get involved to support the Proposition E campaign. The sky's the limit, you can recommend some ways to inform, and engage your networks, too!

Dr. Anne Huang, Development Director, World Arts West (Heritage)

Bio: Dr. Anne Huang is the Development Director of World Arts West, producers of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, which supports Bay Area dance companies that are sustaining and celebrating the world’s cultural legacy.  Anne is the former Executive Director of Oakland Asian Cultural Center, where she transformed a struggling arts organization into a thriving cultural institution serving 50,000 people a year, and forged innovative partnerships such as 100 Families: Art and Social Change and Oakland Chinatown Oral History Project with StoryCorps...

Ballot Measure: Proposition E Hotel Tax Allocations Initiative Ordinance

Summary: Proposition E aims to secure arts funding to the Grants for the Arts and the SF Arts Commission. It will allocate a portion of the projected revenue increase of the Hotel Tax to fund development of cultural equity programs for underserved communities, arts programming, and funding for Cultural Districts and Cultural Centers in San Francisco - this November election, 2018.

- Welcome to Mayor London Breed- August 2018 -

Arts for a Better Bay Area welcomes and congratulates newly elected Mayor, London Breed, on her post as the chief leader of our dynamic and beautiful City by the Bay. We also thank Mayor Breed and her office for her statement addressing the arts community, in response to our welcome. Please find the statement, here.