COVID-19 Field Message from California Arts Council Executive Director and Chair
March 19, 2020
Dear California artists, cultural workers and creatives,
Californians and people around the world are feeling the weight and ripple effects of the public health crisis surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). We know the arts and culture fields are particularly vulnerable to the economic repercussions of the emergency. With public events canceled and revenue sources for organizations and individual artists severely threatened, we are among the most impacted sectors in the U.S.
But we are also one of the most innovative sectors, and together we will find our way through this moment.
The circumstances surrounding this public health emergency are unique, far-reaching, and rapidly changing. As California’s state arts agency, we are prioritizing the needs and concerns of our grantees and the arts and culture field. We recognize that state and local public health guidelines have had a significant impact on the planned activities of our grantees and contractors. Our staff is prepared to find solutions on a case-by-case basis.
We will continue to support local arts infrastructure and programming statewide through grants, initiatives, and services. Our 18 grant programs represent an investment of $24 million this year.
Please see the updates below for details on how the California Arts Council is working to minimize the impact to public service and address the urgent needs of our grantees. To make sure you are up to date with our latest news and information, be sure to subscribe to our ArtBeat e-newsletter.
We appreciate you and know that we are all in this together.
Respectfully yours,
Anne Bown-Crawford, Executive Director | Nashormeh Lindo, Council Chair