The next phase in the city budget process is underway, and it’s time for us to show up and speak up for the arts!

With six brand new City Councilmembers and a fresh face in the Mayor’s chair, it’s time for us to come together and refocus our advocacy as they begin to set a path forward. We can’t wait to get started with you!

If we want to grow as an organization and a movement, SJAA knows that we need your help. That’s why we created this quick Google form to hear about the programs you’d like to see from us and how you can get more involved in our work. Please take a minute to share your thoughts today!

The City Manager’s latest draft budget for FY2021-2022 earmarks $2 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support arts and cultural programs that have been devastated COVID-19. And now, the Mayor has proposed using additional one-time relief funds to backfill shortfalls in the Transient Occupancy Tax (aka TOT or Hotel Tax). While we thank the...

As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, San José Arts Advocates believes that a significant investment in our creative ecosystem will help rebuild our local economy and reactivate our city for residents, workers, and visitors. The City of San José budget process is an opportunity for advocates to speak up and let city leaders...

The SJAA Core Team has reviewed the Mayor’s budget message for items that would have a direct impact on the creative community.

SJAA believes in a public process for the installation and deinstallation of any and all public art projects. Sign our letter to Mayor Liccardo calling on the City to conduct a thorough public review of the series of events that led to the early deinstallation of the Holding the Moment exhibit.

As a key component of our mission, San José Arts Advocates are committed to collaborating with other community-based organizations to create a more inclusive, engaged, and empowered San José. That’s why on November 21, 2020, thanks to support from the City of San José, we partnered with CatalyzeSV, San José Jazz, and genARTS Silicon Valley...

Recently, San José Arts Advocates hosted our first-ever series of candidate forums with the incumbents and challengers vying for City Council Districts 4 and 6 in the November 2020 elections, which could swing the balance of power on the council. Over two nights in early September, we engaged the four candidates in a wide-ranging conversation...

Now is not the time to divest from the important community building and reflection work that is done by our nonprofit arts sector. Sadly, that is exactly what our city leaders are proposing.