The Arts in California

Here's a piece I just wrote for Bay Area BusinessWoman:

Women Create Collective to Boost California Arts
It's not easy being an artist in California. Over the past four years, public funding for the arts in California has been slashed by more than 94 percent. Two years ago, the California Arts Council's (CAC) budget was cut to just $1 million from $18 million, leaving virtually nothing for grantmaking.

It's hard to believe, but California is currently dead last among all 50 states in arts funding. The state spends just three cents per capita, according to the CAC. Compare that to the national average of $1.25. Despite the dire financial situation, many Bay Area artists still find a way to create, inspire, and share, often at their own expense.