Oakland's City Council has made budget cuts impacting various departments, most controversially eliminating the cultural affairs manager position. This role was vital for overseeing public arts funding and advising the Cultural Affairs Commission. The former manager, Roberto Bedoya, considerably contributed to the arts scene by securing about $1 million yearly from foundations. Many local artists express concern as the city allocates only 1% of its budget to arts programs, making external funding essential for survival. The recent role termination has left artists dismayed at the potential consequences for local culture.
"The money that Roberto brought in was money that was harder for individual artists and smaller nonprofit arts organizations to secure," said Michelle Mush Lee, senior advisor for organization Youth Speaks and a member of the Cultural Affairs Commission. "It's harder for an organization of nine staff that's just struggling to pay bills to secure $1.5 million over six years."
Given the importance of the cultural affairs manager in fostering the arts in Oakland, many artists and representatives of arts groups were dismayed by the council's decision last month to terminate the role entirely.
Bedoya helped re-launch the Cultural Affairs Commission five years ago after it had been put on an extended hiatus by the City Council due to previous budget stress. He also helped draft the city's first cultural plan in 30 years, launched Oakland's first Poet Laureate Program, and brought in around $1 million annually through partnerships with foundations.
Outside money is crucial, local artists say, because the city sets aside only about 1% of its total budget for Cultural Affairs and public arts programs.
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