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CALL TO ACTION TODAY
We are generating hundreds of emails to City Council Members by Wednesday 5PM to protect funding for arts in Oakland.
Arts ZEROED OUT in Oakland Budget Report - The Mayor's Office released a budget framework identifying the elimination of arts grants, Cultural Funding Program staff and the film office as the only named options to reduce the Community and Economic Development Agency's (CEDA) budget. We need equitable and proportionate cuts for the Arts, not elimination. The community prevailed when we faced elimination in October 2008. WE CAN DO IT AGAIN!
The Mayor has asked City Council to identify individual priorities by Friday, April 8.
Let the Council know It is time for equitable solutions. Elimination of arts grants and the Cultural Funding Program staff is untenable, unfair and disproportionate.
STEPS:
1. EMAIL Council Members NOW!
You can make the difference- Cut & Paste sample email and Tell them why the Arts are important to you! (See Sample below); Remain Positive and Respectful in your communications. We need the Council's support!
2. FORWARD this alert to artists, colleagues, students, friends, families, neighbors, friends-of-friends
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Supporting Documentation & Resources:
A. SAMPLE Email:
Dear Council Member
The Arts are a priority for Oakland. Funding for arts is currently ZEROED OUT in the budget report released by the Mayor's Office. You can make the difference- Oakland Arts are the means to Oakland's economic renewal and are fundamental to our quality of life.
It is time for equitable solutions. Elimination of arts grants and the Cultural Funding Program staff is untenable, unfair and disproportionate. Difficult choices need to be made. We need equitable and proportionate cuts.
Oakland Arts mean keeping Oaklanders employed, inspiring our community, cultivating compassion, and fueling our economy. Oakland Arts:
· Generate over $103 million in economic activity
· Provide more than 5,000 jobs
· Produce more than $4 million in revenue to local government
Elimination of the arts exacerbates the economic crisis, compromises Oakland's nationally ranked arts sector, and undermines our economic competitiveness, and our investment in our future.
When you submit your priorities on April 8 to the Mayor's Office, please include the arts as one of your top priorities. Thank you for your continued leadership for a better Oakland.
Sincerely,
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B. Council Contacts: Send to all Council Members
District 1, Jane Brunner, jbrunner@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7001; District 2, Pat Kernighan,pkernighan@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7002; District 3, Nancy Nadel, nnadel@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7003; District 4, Jean Quan, jquan@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7004; District 5, Ignacio de la Fuente. idelafuente@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7005; District 6, Desley Brooks, dbrooks@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7006; District 7, Larry Reid, lreid@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-7007 At-Large, Rebecca Kaplan, rkaplan@oaklandnet.com (510) 238-7008 Not sure who your council member is? to find out: http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com/councils/
Community Organizing is our best option for ensuring the survival and sustainability of Oakland Arts. Please forward this email to friends, colleagues and mailing lists; the arts have strength in numbers. Contact the Mayor and Council TODAY!
Thank you for your support,
Margo
Chair, Oakland Cultural Trust
Executive Director, Pro Arts
Mission: The Oakland Cultural Trust advocates for a vibrant, safe and sustainable Oakland by policies and action that support and nurture the vitality of Oakland artists and cultural organizations. More Info: http://proartsgallery.org/trust
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Margo Dunlap
Executive Director
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Pro Arts
New Gallery Location- 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland CA 94612 (at Oakland Art Gallery)
510.763.4361
F510.763.9470
margo@proartsgallery.org
http://www.proartsgallery.org
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