Stanislaus Needs the Arts — Help Us Save Critical Performing Arts Funding
Dear Friends,
I’m writing to you not just as the Executive Director of the Stanislaus Arts Council, but as a fellow believer in the power of creativity to connect, heal, and uplift. Right now, a vital source of support for performing arts organizations across California—including those here in Stanislaus County—is at risk of being eliminated.
The Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund (PAEPF) was designed to keep artists and arts workers employed—particularly within small and mid-sized performing arts organizations like those we serve. It has been five years in the making, with wide bipartisan support, and its loss would be deeply felt in communities like ours.
We at the Stanislaus Arts Council are proud partners of Californians for the Arts, and we’ve worked directly with local organizations in our community to help them apply for this program. These are real people, real performances, and real jobs that are now hanging in the balance.
Here’s why this matters:
413 organizations applied statewide, requesting $40.9 million in support.
Applications came from 88% of the California Legislature’s districts, including right here in our region.
The program’s $11.5 million allocation is modest by state budget standards, but it’s a lifeline for arts organizations that are keeping dancers, actors, stagehands, musicians, and teaching artists employed.
These grants are reimbursement-based—meaning the work has already been done. Eliminating the funds now would leave organizations with unrecoverable losses and no support.
The proposed cuts are not final—but we must act now to make our voices heard.
Here’s how YOU can help save performing arts in Stanislaus County and beyond:
🎭 Call Your Legislators
Tell them directly how this program will impact the arts in your neighborhood. Use Find Your Lawmaker or Arts for LA’s system to be quickly connected.
📞 Call Governor Newsom
Just this past weekend, he declared: “Make arts matter again.” Let’s hold him to that promise. Call (916) 445-2841 and ask him to protect the PAEPF.
📝 Send a Letter
Join the statewide campaign asking the Legislature to restore the fund. Submit a letter here in minutes.
🖋️ Add Your Organization to the Coalition Letter
Not listed yet? Add your name and logo to the coalition letter opposing these cuts and stand with hundreds of arts organizations across the state.
📢 Spread the Word
Forward this information. Share it with your friends, neighbors, family, board, colleagues, and audiences. Our strength lies in our numbers. Let’s show Sacramento that Stanislaus County cares deeply about the future of the arts.
📍 Bay Area Supporters – Show Up!
Assemblymember Matt Haney will host a press conference on Thursday, May 29 at 1:00 PM at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. If you can make the trip, your presence matters.
The performing arts aren’t just performances. They are jobs, youth programs, community events, and moments of connection that define who we are.
To lose this funding would be a step backward at a time when our artists and our audiences are finally beginning to rebuild. Let’s not let that happen. Let’s raise our voices together—for Stanislaus County, and for California.
With gratitude and determination,
Dominique Johnson
Executive Director, Artist, Advocate, Community Member
Stanislaus Arts Council
