Arts Advocacy
Advocacy efforts on behalf of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission are conducted by the Commissioners of the Arts Commission. Please direct all comments and questions to the Chair of the Arts Commission.
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2012 Tax Checkoff for the Arts
Californians interested in increasing funding for the arts and arts education can contribute to the Arts Council Fund through their annual state tax return. Each year, the Franchise Tax Board's form will allow California taxpayers to easily contribute to the California Arts Council and its arts programs for children and communities. Every dollar you contribute is tax-deductible!
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ACT NOW! - THREATS TO CHARITABLE GIVING
The Supercommittee of Congress is looking at changing itemized deductions (which would include the charitable giving incentive). The tax deductions for second homes and charitable deductions could be slashed or eliminated as part of the agreement. The Obama Administration has proposed capping the value of charitable deductions to 28 percent for those taxpayers who itemize. Currently, the value of the deduction is tied to the marginal income tax rate the donor pays; 35% for the highest earning families. The proposal is being used to help close revenue gaps for everything from the newly enacted health care law to federal deficit reduction.
As you are well aware, the ramifications of such a change would affect the nonprofit community, which of course includes the arts community.
To take immediate actions, you can call, email, and tweet your member of Congress. (CLICK HERE to find the information for your member of Congress.)
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Economic Impact on Local Arts> Find out how the economic downturn has impacted the arts.
Impact Information about the Arts Commission
Download a printable version of the slide show about the Arts Commission's impact on the community.
Download a printable version of the slide show about the Arts Commission's budget cuts.
Sacramento City and County Elected Officials
Please contact our elected officials and tell them how important the City and County funding is to your organization. Scroll down for City officials.
County of Sacramento
Determine your County District
County Board of Supervisors
The mailing address for all County Board of Supervisors is:
700 H Street, Suite 2450
Sacramento, CA 95814
First District: Phil Serna
(916) 874-5485; sernap@saccounty.net
Second District: Jimmie Yee
(916) 874-5481; jyee@saccounty.net
Third District: Susan Peters
(916) 874-5471; susanpeters@saccounty.net
Fourth District: Roberta MacGlashan
(916) 874-5491; macglashanr@saccounty.net
Fifth District: Don Nottoli
(916) 874-5465; nottolid@saccounty.net
City of Sacramento
Determine your City District
City Council
The mailing address for the Mayor and all City Council members is:
915 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mayor: Kevin Johnson
(916) 808-5300; mayor@cityofsacramento.org
District 1:
Angelique Ashby
(916) 808-7001; aashby@cityofsacramento.org
District 2: Sandy Sheedy
(916) 808-7002; ssheedy@cityofsacramento.org
District 3: Steve Cohn
(916) 808-7003; scohn@cityofsacramento.org
District 4: Robert King Fong
(916) 808-7004; rfong@cityofsacramento.org
District 5:
Jay Schenirer
(916) 808-7005; jschenirer@cityofsacramento.org
District 6: Kevin McCarty
(916) 808-7006; kmccarty@cityofsacramento.org
District 7: Darrell Fong, Vice Mayor
(916) 808-7007; dfong@cityofsacramento.org
District 8: Bonnie Pannell
(916) 808-7008; bpannell@cityofsacramento.org
Americans for the Arts
By visiting the Americans for the Arts (AFTA) E-Advocacy Center on April 13, Arts Advocacy Day, you'll be able to send a message directly to your Representative and Senators telling them why the arts are important to you and your community. AFTA has provided bullet points covering their eleven key Arts Advocacy Day issues, which you can use in the sample letter that they've drafted for you. You are also encouraged to write your own unique story to illustrate the importance of the arts to your community. Using the E-Advocacy Center, you can create and send your letter to Congress in less than two minutes. AFTA urges you to send your message to Congress today to coincide with AFTA's office visits to the Hill. Send your message.
Make a difference on your website and in print:
Americans for the Arts has released web banners for you to download and include on your website. Download a banner to put on your website.
Americans for the Arts continues the print ad campaign, Art. Ask for more. Download a print ad.
California Arts Advocates
California Arts Advocates (CAA), provides advocacy services for California’s arts community. CAA provides professional advocacy for all arts stakeholders in California, from the smallest troupe to the largest institution, from the solo artist to the largest organization, from the most diverse to the most mainstream, regardless of cultural segment or economic standing.
CAA provides the only full-time professional lobbyist in Sacramento who represents the interests of all arts stakeholders in California. The lobbyist monitors all state legislation and works to ensure that the interests of the arts are reflected in our laws, public policies, and budgets.
