Californians will once again have the opportunity to support the California Arts Council and its arts programs for children through their state individual tax refund. Yesterday, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Senate Bill 571 (Senator Carol Liu, La Canada Flintridge), returning the arts to the voluntary contribution portion of California tax return forms through the new "Keep Arts in Schools Fund."

"Like sunshine and diversity, creativity is a defining resource of our region.

A majority of Californians support increased investment in public education, yet both statewide initiatives that would bring more money to public schools lag in the polls. How did California get in this mess? Earlier this year, at least three different political, ideological and educational “interests” were mobilizing for the ballot.

Arts for LA announces its endorsement of three pieces of legislation, all supporting access to arts and arts education, appearing on the November ballot in Los Angeles County. Each endorsement is supported by the Arts & Culture Framework of Los Angeles County, which serves as the region’s guide to greater support for arts, culture, and arts education.

During this tax season, an easy way to support the arts in California is to contribute to the Arts Council Fund while filing your annual state tax return.

From our state partner, California Arts Advocates: The Supercommittee of Congress is looking at changing itemized deductions (which would include the charitable giving incentive).

If you plan to file a 2010 state tax return for the later filer deadline of October 17th, 2011, please consider checking the Voluntary Contribution box to contribute $1 or more to the California Arts Council.  According to the CAC, the total con