SACRAMENTO, CA – The California State Senate passed a bill by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) that is needed to save small community performing arts organizations from disappearing and help them continue their important work as social justice vehicles for marginalized voices.
The bill passed the senate floor in a 34-5 vote.
Senate Bill 805, “Save The Performing Arts Act of 2021,” creates a program that will offer vital funding for small non-profit performing arts organizations to help them recover from the devastating impacts caused by the pandemic, as well as help them comply with AB 5. The funding, slated specifically for pay for artists and production workers, will be distributed in the form of grants based on the organization’s size (i.e. smaller organizations get larger grants). There will be a maximum revenue cap for eligible organizations. This funding will apply to all performing arts industry, including theaters, operas, and symphonies. It will also create a low-cost payroll services to nonprofit performing arts organizations.
“These small theaters are the starting point for emerging voices and artists, especially in marginalized communities, so I want to thank the California State Senate for passing this bill,” Senator Rubio said. “I also want to thank all the amazing artists who are part of the SB 805 Coalition. They have worked tirelessly, and remained committed to worker protections as we found a path to move this bill forward. Our work is not done, and their enthusiasm and determination will be essential as we continue through the legislative process.”
SB 805 Coalition Member Include: Theatrical Producer’s League Los Angeles, Theatre Bay Area, Californians for the Arts/California Arts Advocates, San José Arts Advocates, Alliance of Desert Theatres; Theaters: 24th Street Theatre, Actors Co-op Theatre Company, Altarena Playhouse, Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble, CASA 0101 Theater, Celebration Theatre, Chance Theater, Coin & Ghost, Collaborative Artist Bloc, Company of Angels, Dezart Performs, El Teatro Campesino, Fountain Theatre, IAMA Theatre Company, Infinite Jest Theatre Company, The Inkwell Theater, Inland Valley Repertory Theater, Interact Theatre Company, Macha Theatre Company/Films, Moving Arts, New American Theatre, Numi Opera, Open Fist Theatre Company, Ophelia’s Jump, Playwrights’ Arena, Rogue Machine Theatre, Rogues Artists Ensemble, Sacred Fools Theater Company at the Broadwater, Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre, Sierra Madre Playhouse, Skylight Theatre Company, SkyPilot Theatre Company, The Robey Theatre Company, The Victory Theatre Center, Theatre of NOTE, Theatre Unleashed, Teatro Máscara Mágica, Teatro Visión, Theatre West, Town Hall Theatre: Independent Artists: producer Michaela Bulkley, Robert Fancy, Cristal Gonzalez, and hundreds of union workers in the performing arts.
SB 805 will next go to the State Assembly
2 comments
This is a misuse of our tax dollars and the “important social justice” excuse is absurd. More taxpayer-funded pork from California liberal politicians.
While this is a good idea and I do support the arts (small, intimate theaters, ballets, symphonies, art film venues), I do NOT want to be hit in the face with “social justice” junk!
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