CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION.
The arts contribute to our culture, education and economy. Non-profit organizations are the backbone of our arts and culture and “have always been dependent upon the kindness of strangers” – and upon grant money!
In Ventura County, however, the distribution of arts funding has been radically skewed. Two years ago Ventura County earmarked $1 million dollars in grant funding for the arts. This money was to be available to Ventura County’s over 300 non-profit organizations and individual artists, with particular emphasis … on communities most impacted by the pandemic.”
Instead, at the November 7th meeting, the County Board of Supervisors voted to award 50% of the $1 million dollars in grant funding to just two organizations, with no requirement for application or reporting on spending. This leaves many other deserving arts organizations and artists struggling for resources. We believe that all arts organizations and artists should have an equal opportunity to benefit from this public funding.
In California the nonprofit arts and culture sector generates $16 billion annually in economic activity while supporting over 450 thousand jobs (California Cultural Data Project). By providing equitable funding across all art organizations in Ventura County, we can help stimulate our local economy while fostering cultural diversity.
Before this half-million dollars is issued, we call on the County of Ventura to review its current grant allocation process to ensure fair access of funds among all local art institutions regardless of their size or influence. It's time we value every contributor to our vibrant artistic community equally.
Please sign this petition if you believe in equitable support for all art institutions in Ventura County. Ask the County to restore the grant funding to $1million and ensure an open, transparent and equitable application process for the distribution of these funds.
link to petition: https://chng.it/FPfB9sHDPf
To send your own message to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, you can use these email addresses:
District 1 Supervisor Matt LaVere <[email protected]>
District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell <[email protected]>
District 3 Supervisor Kelly Long <[email protected]>
District 4 Supervisor Janice Parvin <[email protected]>
District 5 Supervisor Vianey Lopez <[email protected]>
###
Dear fellow non-profit arts organization:
Many arts organizations in Ventura County are working together to secure available grant funding, we are in hopes you will join us. Recently, an arts grant of $1million was allocated for all VC arts organizations, however, 50% of the grant was distributed to two organizations before applications were available to the public. Disappointing, right? We can’t sit idle.
Below, you'll find links to a letter to the Ventura Board of Supervisors and a signature page. Please distribute the letters and signature page to your Board of Directors. If they agree that this decision needs to be corrected, have them sign the signature page and return as soon as possible. In addition, comments/letters of support from those whose lives your organization has impacted are encouraged.
We will be presenting the letters and signature papers during a January Board of Supervisors meeting. We would also like your support in attending the meeting on January 23, 2024 located at 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura at 8:30am.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 805-231-3604.
Cindy Murray
Executive Director
5-Star Theatricals
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., #B
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION.
The arts contribute to our culture, education and economy. Non-profit organizations are the backbone of our arts and culture and “have always been dependent upon the kindness of strangers” – and upon grant money!
In Ventura County, however, the distribution of arts funding has been radically skewed. Two years ago Ventura County earmarked $1 million dollars in grant funding for the arts. This money was to be available to Ventura County’s over 300 non-profit organizations and individual artists, with particular emphasis … on communities most impacted by the pandemic.”
Instead, at the November 7th meeting, the County Board of Supervisors voted to award 50% of the $1 million dollars in grant funding to just two organizations, with no requirement for application or reporting on spending. This leaves many other deserving arts organizations and artists struggling for resources. We believe that all arts organizations and artists should have an equal opportunity to benefit from this public funding.
In California the nonprofit arts and culture sector generates $16 billion annually in economic activity while supporting over 450 thousand jobs (California Cultural Data Project). By providing equitable funding across all art organizations in Ventura County, we can help stimulate our local economy while fostering cultural diversity.
Before this half-million dollars is issued, we call on the County of Ventura to review its current grant allocation process to ensure fair access of funds among all local art institutions regardless of their size or influence. It's time we value every contributor to our vibrant artistic community equally.
Please sign this petition if you believe in equitable support for all art institutions in Ventura County. Ask the County to restore the grant funding to $1million and ensure an open, transparent and equitable application process for the distribution of these funds.
link to petition: https://chng.it/FPfB9sHDPf
To send your own message to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, you can use these email addresses:
District 1 Supervisor Matt LaVere <[email protected]>
District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell <[email protected]>
District 3 Supervisor Kelly Long <[email protected]>
District 4 Supervisor Janice Parvin <[email protected]>
District 5 Supervisor Vianey Lopez <[email protected]>
###
Dear fellow non-profit arts organization:
Many arts organizations in Ventura County are working together to secure available grant funding, we are in hopes you will join us. Recently, an arts grant of $1million was allocated for all VC arts organizations, however, 50% of the grant was distributed to two organizations before applications were available to the public. Disappointing, right? We can’t sit idle.
Below, you'll find links to a letter to the Ventura Board of Supervisors and a signature page. Please distribute the letters and signature page to your Board of Directors. If they agree that this decision needs to be corrected, have them sign the signature page and return as soon as possible. In addition, comments/letters of support from those whose lives your organization has impacted are encouraged.
We will be presenting the letters and signature papers during a January Board of Supervisors meeting. We would also like your support in attending the meeting on January 23, 2024 located at 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura at 8:30am.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 805-231-3604.
Cindy Murray
Executive Director
5-Star Theatricals
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., #B
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Click here to read and download letter to the Board of Supervisors
| ventura_county_board_of_supervisors_letter_and_signature_page.pdf |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Link to Board of Supervisors Agenda Item presentation and correspondence:
https://ventura.primegov.com/portal/item?id=261945
Link to Board of Supervisors Agenda Item presentation and correspondence:
https://ventura.primegov.com/portal/item?id=261945
| county_staff_letter_to_board_of_supervisors.pdf |
