August 2022 Newsletter

The Alameda County Arts Commission is pleased to share this newsletter with information about how you can support Federal and State arts funding and information about the public art proposals for the Dublin Transit Center Parking Garage. All of the programs and services of the Arts Commission are based on the belief that arts and creativity are essential to every successful and thriving community. Thank you for your support of the arts in Alameda County!

Support funding of the Advancing Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Act (H.R. 7627)

Sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and developed by and for BIPOC artists and creatives, the Advancing Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Act (H.R. 7627), centers the arts and humanities as a critical lever to dismantle systemic racism in the United States. This is the first bill that intentionally brings together racial justice and arts groups to build a national movement on this issue. Watch the webinar, "Advancing Arts and Justice with Congresswoman Barbara Lee," to learn more about this important legislation. You can now watch the recording here. Take Action and Support this Legislation! Step 1: Use this form to send letters to encourage Members of the House of Representatives to co-sponsor the bill. The bill needs 218 members to sign! Step 2: Please join California Arts Advocates and over 130 entities, including the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), Americans for the Arts, Recording Academy, and individual artists committed to social justice, to endorse H.R. 7627. In addition to organizations, individual artists are invited to endorse the legislation. Click here to sign your name as a supporter of this bill. Click here for more information on H.R.7627 and click here to read the legislation.

Support the CA Creative Workforce Act (SB 628) Senator Ben Allen has requested $50 million to fund the CA Creative Workforce Act for two years. Although the bill passed last year with overwhelming majorities, the funding to implement the program was not included in this year's 22-23 final state budget. Join California Arts Advocates to send letters to Governor Gavin Newsom and the budget committee chairs urging them to include $50 million to bring the CA Creative Workforce Act to life. Use this form to submit your letter. For more information about the CA Creative Workforce Act, click here. To read the legislation, click here.

Dublin Transit Center Parking Garage Public Art Project Community members who live in, work in, or regularly visit Dublin are invited to give feedback about the artwork proposals for the Dublin Transit Center Parking Garage. The County of Alameda is building a new parking structure adjacent to the Dublin-Pleasanton BART station. The parking structure is intended to limit vehicle miles for commuters and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Dublin-Livermore-Amador Valley area and supports the County’s vision for accessible infrastructure and a healthy environment. The County is funding the public art project for the parking structure. One artist (or artist team) will be hired to create a design that will be printed on the 5-story glass walls surrounding the stair tower at the corner of Campus Drive and Martinelli Way. View the Proposals and Submit Comments Online Deadline: Tuesday, August 23, 12:00pm To learn more about the overall project, please read the Community Update Image: Digital illustration of the proposed garage and view of the 5-story glass walls surrounding the stair tower that will be the location for the new public artwork. Image provided by McCarthy Building Companies.

Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations

Americans for the Arts Federal Arts Advocacy California Arts Council Grant Opportunities Californians for the Arts News, Resources and Events California Arts Advocates Arts Advocacy Create CA Arts Education Advocacy

Top artwork images (from left to right): Field of Deer created by Kanna Aoki, The Autumn Sky created by Bhavna Misra and Red Tailed Hawk Visions of Indian Cove Trail created by Joaquin Newman and Jerarde Gutierrez. The artworks are featured in the Castro Valley Art Banners presented in partnership with the Alameda County Economic & Civic Development Department and in the Castro Valley Utility Box Art Program presented in partnership with the Alameda County Public Works Agency.

Alameda County Arts Commission www.acgov.org/arts

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The Office of the Arts Commission is proud to be a division of the County’s Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder Agency led by elected official Melissa Wilk. The support and leadership provided by Melissa Wilk is critical to the work of the Arts Commission. The Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder Agency has an extensive leadership role with the County government and the Arts Commission. Keep up-to-date on important information from the Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder Agency. Subscribe to the Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder Agency's newsletter.