Newsom’s Proposed Budget Ends Vital Funding to Small Performing Arts Groups

California arts leaders are sounding alarms over proposed cuts in Governor Gavin Newsom’s latest revised budget. On the chopping block is $11.5 million meant for the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, a pool of money established to help small performing arts groups stay afloat.

The fund, which only launched this year, was meant to offset the cost of complying with laws that require theaters to treat performing artists as employees rather than independent contractors.

“This is not for big galas or events or executives,” said San Francisco State Assemblymember Matt Haney, who supports keeping the fund in the budget. “This is money that goes directly to employ artists. And we know that we need artists in the world. We certainly need artists in California right now.”

Newsom’s proposed