Direct investments to artists part of $10 million creative economy package approved by City Council
Sacramento (March 3, 2022) The Sacramento City Council Tuesday approved investing $10 million in Sacramento’s creative economy to address the impact of the pandemic on the sector. Spending items include a pilot program to provide a Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) for artists.
Mayor Steinberg led the effort to set aside the $10 million in funding for the creative economy from Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) as part of a larger framework approved by the Council in September 2021 .
Community mural paint day in District 5 on Freeport Blvd
“The $10 million in federal relief spending approved by the Council shows once again that Sacramento values its creative economy and understands the role that artists, cultural institutions and performance venues play in building our reputation, attracting visitors and creating opportunities for our young people,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “Providing a financial cushion for artists who have been buffeted by the pandemic will allow them to put their talents to work without fear.”
In addition to the GBI pilot program, the $10 million dollars was approved to go towards bolstering several aspects of the Sacramento creative economy, including:
supporting arts and cultural nonprofits
financial and technical assistance for creative-based businesses
a grant to Visit Sacramento to support signature events
youth workforce programing and;
an arts journalist grant program
“The city of Sacramento’s Creative Economy is a key driver of educational, economic and community benefit,” said the City’s Creative Economy Manager Megan Van Voorhis. “These funds are critical to addressing the impact of the pandemic on this sector and ensuring ongoing access to creative projects and programs throughout the city. I look forward to working with the creative community to implement and provide this assistance.”
The Office of Arts & Culture built out the programmatic framework with input from the City’s Arts Culture and Creative Economy Commission (ACCE) and was designed to align with the goals of the Creative Edge cultural plan.
Sacramento has been a national leader in helping artists and creatives survive the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic. The infusion of $10 million from ARP follows $20 million in CARES Act funding previously allocated to the creative economy. That funding helped more than 500 Sacramento-based arts and culture organizations, individual artists, and creative businesses.
More details on eligibility and application dates will be rolled out over the next few months. Stay up to date with the Office of Arts and Culture by signing up for email updates.
Watch National Youth Poet Laureate read her original poem, “Love poem for the end of the world,” at the 2021 State of the City address
