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Ibarra, Evelyn From:Adriana Alba <albab13@me.com> Sent:Tuesday, May 7, To:eComment Subject:Arts Funding: Item 30 Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Work Study Session Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear Members of the Santa Ana City Council, I am writing to you today as a concerned resident of Ward 1, an educator, a proud board member of Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble, and a parent who deeply values the role of arts and culture in our community. I am advocating for increased and sustained funding for the arts in our city, particularly for initiatives that directly support local artists and grassroots organizations. As you are aware, arts funding in our city is facing significant challenges. With the cessation of federal funding that previously supported grants for artists and organizations, and the city's failure to allocate resources to our Arts and Culture Master Plan for over six years, the future of our vibrant arts community hangs in the balance. Over the past few years, direct arts funding has had a profoundly positive impact on our city's cultural landscape and economic development. However, with the depletion of resources such as the Covid federal funding through Revive Santa Ana, which provided $300k annually for event sponsorships, and the cessation of individual artist grants totaling $100k per year over the past nine years, the sustainability of our arts community is under threat. It is crucial that we take proactive steps to ensure the continued vitality of Santa Ana's arts scene. To this end, I urge the City Council to consider the following recommendations: 1. Direct Funding for Artwalk: I strongly advocate for the city to allocate annual funding specifically designated for Artwalk, a vital event that celebrates our local artists and brings our community together. This direct support will ensure the sustainability of Artwalk for years to come. 2. 1% Funding from New Private Development: I propose that a portion of funding from new private developments in the city, amounting to 1%, be allocated to the arts budget. This mechanism will provide a consistent and sustainable source of funding to support local artists and cultural initiatives. 3. Full Funding for the Arts Culture Master Plan: It is imperative that the City Council fully fund the Arts and Culture Master Plan, which serves as a roadmap for supporting and enhancing our city's cultural assets. By investing in this plan, we demonstrate our commitment to fostering a vibrant arts community for future generations. 4. Strengthening the Arts and Culture Department: I urge the City Council to prioritize the support and growth of our Arts and Culture Department. Adequate staffing and resources are essential for effectively administering arts programs, supporting local artists, and cultivating a thriving cultural ecosystem. Furthermore, I would like to draw attention to the significant disparity in arts funding between Santa Ana and other cities in Orange County. Despite our city's rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts community, our budget for direct arts funding pales in comparison to the subsidies received by institutions such as the Bowers Museum. While the Bowers Museum received a subsidy of $1,674,210 for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, our total funding for 1