Oakland artists and cultural organizations are celebrating a $600,000 emergency fund to bridge budget gaps and the proposal to restore the cultural affairs manager position. District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife is collaborating with Mayor Barbara Lee and the city's budget administrator to secure ongoing funding for the position. Many artists and leaders have protested recent budget cuts, emphasizing the manager's crucial role in securing funds for grants. The city council will reconvene in September to determine funding strategies for the position.
"We're thrilled about that news. It certainly came as a blow when we first heard that this was being considered for elimination, just because it's a valuable position," López said. "We had a really great relationship with [Roberto Bedoya] the previous cultural affairs manager."
Fife told The Oaklandside that she is working with the city's budget administrator, Bradley Johnson, to find "ongoing streams of funding" for the position.
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