Q: How does Berkeley’s economy benefit from a strong arts ecosystem?
A: 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 increase property values, attract new businesses, and bring patrons to Berkeley to support our restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. Every ticket for a performance generates an additional $14-$16 for Berkeley’s economy. According to a 2025 study, arts organizations receiving City arts grants generated $137,400,000 in economic activity within Berkeley last year.
Q: Have Berkeley’s arts organizations recovered from the impacts of the pandemic?
A: Recovery has been uneven, fragile, and incomplete. Berkeley’s creative economy employment remains 17% below pre-pandemic levels. Nearly half of nonprofit arts organizations are operating at a deficit–with music, theater, and film/media organizations struggling most. In recent years, multiple beloved Berkeley arts organizations have closed, and without support, more could follow. That’s why Berkeley’s nonprofit arts organizations united to sponsor this citizen-led initiative.
Q: How much will Measure Y generate to support the arts in Berkeley?
A: More than $6 million per year to create a dedicated Arts Vitality Fund.
Q: How is Measure Y’s funding allocated?
A: 75% of the funding is allocated for a new grant program for nonprofit performing arts organizations that have provided at least 3 consecutive years of live performances in Berkeley–including theaters, music, and dance venues. These funds can be used for operational and programming expenses like wages and materials but not for long-term capital projects, fundraising, or debt reduction. The rest of the restricted funds increase grant opportunities through existing Civic Arts Commission grant programs - 10% of the funding goes towards capital projects for arts organizations such as the acquisition or construction of a new asset or the improvement or repair of existing assets; 5% goes towards community festivals like art fairs or cultural heritage celebrations; another 5% is allocated for individual artist projects for Berkeley residents or arts organization operational and program expenses; and a final 5% goes to administrative costs associated with administering and auditing the grant programs.
Q: How are the grants awarded?
A: Measure Y establishes competitive grant programs supporting nonprofit arts organizations of all sizes, individual artists, community festivals, and cultural infrastructure. Grants are evaluated by panels of independent experts using established criteria, reviewed publicly, and are awarded by the Civic Arts Commission.
Q: How much is the tax?
A: It’s 7 cents per square foot, or about $105 for the average Berkeley home per year.
Q: How long does the tax last?
A: It sunsets after 12 years.
Q: Who is exempt from Measure Y?
A: Low-income homeowners, including seniors, are exempt. So are properties owned by tax-exempt religious or educational organizations, properties where at least 60 percent of the units are deemed affordable, and properties that are transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness.
Q: What sort of oversight is there?
A: Strict annual audits and transparent grant processes ensure funding is spent as promised. Funds are legally restricted to only support the arts.
Q: Who put the measure on the ballot?
A: A citizens group called the Berkeley Arts Coalition-which is made up of organizations like the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Shotgun Players, Berkeley Playhouse, Berkeley Symphony, and UC Theatre-got signatures from Berkeley voters to place the measure on the ballot. And we received nearly twice the number of signatures needed to put the measure on the ballot.
Q: Who is funding Measure Y?
A: It’s funded by local nonprofit arts organizations like the Berkeley Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, The Freight, Korsa Musical Theater, The Shotgun Players, and The UC Theatre, and by local supporters of the arts.
Q: Does the City Council control Measure Y funds? Can the Council spend Measure Y funds on anything besides the arts?
A: No. Measure Y was placed on the ballot by the signatures of thousands of Berkeley voters, not by the City Council. In fact, our citizen-led group secured nearly twice the required signatures from Berkeley voters to place the measure on the ballot. Measure Y grants are awarded by the Civic Arts Commission. The City Council cannot raid the funding or spend funds on anything other than the arts, as Measure Y funds are legally restricted to only go towards the arts.