Vote YES on Measure Y: Protect Berkeley’s Arts and Creative Economy
Arts and culture are a critical part of what makes Berkeley a special place to live and are central to our city’s identity and values, our economy, the vibrancy of our neighborhoods, and the future for our kids.
But our arts community faces serious, ongoing threats. We must act now to protect our nonprofit performing arts theaters, music, dance, and visual arts venues, artists, and community festivals—to preserve our artistic and cultural legacy for our children, adults, and seniors and maintain Berkeley as an educational and cultural destination for generations to come.
We need Measure Y. Because a Berkeley without the arts isn’t truly Berkeley.
Read the measure here
Photo courtesy of Berkeley Playhouse
Nygel D. Robinson and Brian Quijada in Mexodus, Berkeley Repertory Theatre (2024). Photo credit: Ben Krantz/Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
Photo courtesy of UC Theatre
Measure Y means a stronger local economy and better quality of life for all of us
Berkeley’s creative economy supports 8,000 jobs, contributes $10 million in annual City revenue, and makes our downtown and neighborhoods more vibrant. Our arts organizations help increase property values, attract new businesses, and bring patrons to Berkeley to support our restaurants, hotels, and other businesses.
Photo courtesy of Shawl-Anderson Dance Center
Photo courtesy of La Peña Cultural Center, photo by Fred Aube
Photo courtesy of Gamelan Sekar Jaya
Measure Y supports arts organizations still struggling to recover from the impacts of the pandemic
Berkeley’s arts legacy is under threat from a range of post-pandemic challenges. Over the past few years, multiple beloved Berkeley arts organizations have closed, and more could follow. We must support our arts organizations and preserve our city’s artistic and cultural legacy.
Photo courtesy of UC Theatre
Randy Harrison and Francesca Faridany in Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s production of Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika (2018). Photo by Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
Photo courtesy of Berkeley Playhouse
Measure Y protects the youth and community benefits arts organizations provide
These include youth educational opportunities, free public festivals and cultural performances, and discounts for residents and workers. Measure Y protects these community benefits and allows arts organizations to put on more public festivals, events, and performances. Measure Y also supports grants for diverse individual artists.
Measure Y defends the arts and freedom of expression from the Trump Administration
Donald Trump is intent on destroying freedom of expression, and defunding and censoring the arts, and local communities like Berkeley are our last line of defense. We must protect our diverse, inclusive arts and cultural organizations before it’s too late.
Photo courtesy of Berkeley Playhouse
Photo courtesy of UC Theatre
Photo courtesy of Berkeley Playhouse
Measure Y makes downtown safer and more vibrant
Without our local arts organizations, we risk returning to an empty downtown and pandemic-era crime rates. By supporting the arts, we’ll help maintain a vibrant downtown, commercial corridors, and neighborhoods, keep restaurants open, and bring people in to support our other local businesses.
Measure Y has strong oversight and protections
Measure Y exempts low-income seniors, very low-income households, tax-exempt religious and educational organizations, and affordable housing. Strict audits and transparent grant processes ensure funding is spent as promised. Funds are legally restricted to support the arts.
April Ballesteros, Mylo Cardona, Alejandra Wahl, Regina Morones, Linda Amayo-Hassan, and Linda Maria Girónin The Shotgun Players production of Yerma. Photo by Ben Krantz.
Jamin Jollo in The Shotgun Players production of The Triumph of Love. Photo by Ben Krantz.
Measure Y is supported by a broad coalition of businesses, arts organizations, and community leaders
Measure Y is endorsed by dozens of Berkeley arts organizations, the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, Visit Berkeley, Alameda Labor Council, Senator Jesse Arreguin, and more.
Thank you to our generous donors.
