Existing law, the California Cultural and Historical Endowment Act, establishes the California Cultural and Historical Endowment in the Natural Resources Agency. Among other things, the act authorizes the endowment to make grants and loans on a competitive basis to public agencies and nonprofit organizations, as defined, to encourage development of Californias historical and cultural resources. Existing law establishes the Museum and Cultural Resources Program, under the administration of the endowment, to assist and enhance the services of Californias museums and of other groups and institutions that undertake cultural projects that are deeply rooted in and reflective of previously underserved communities.

This bill would establish the California Museums for All program, under the administration of the endowment. The bill would require a museum, as defined, participating in the program to offer free to $3 admission fees during its normal hours of operation for each person who presents an electronic benefits transfer card and a current and valid photo identification, and up to 3 guests who are accompanying that person. Under the bill, a participating museum would be eligible to receive a grant from the endowment to enhance its programs and exhibits to meet the needs of underserved communities or to provide its staff with adequate training and provide resources for collaborative outreach to low-income communities.

Date of Hearing: May 9, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1984

Author:(Eduardo Garcia) – As Introduced Ver:January 31, 2018

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (endowment) to establish the California Museums for All grant program to increase access to museums for low-income communities. Specifically, this bill:

1. Defines as eligible for grant funding museums that offer a reduced entry cost of $3 or less for a person who presents an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, and up to three guests.
2. Allows grantees to use funding to do either or both of the following: (a) enhance programs and exhibits to meet the needs of underserved communities and (b) train staff and collaborate with the Department of Social Services and local community service organizations to market the program to low-income communities.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. One-time costs in the range of $2 million GF to fund one cycle of grants to museums, including administrative costs to the endowment of about $100,000.
2. Ongoing GF cost pressure in a similar range to continue funding for the program.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. In recognition that museums are critical civic institutions, this bill aims to support museums in the state to expand accessibility for low-income people. This bill is supported by a large number of museums, zoos, and associations of these, and has no opposition.
2. Background. The endowment was created in 2003 to assist and enhance the services of California's museums and cultural institutions. Proposition 40 in 2002 allocated more than $120 million to the endowment for historical and cultural resources. The last of these unspent funds are expected to be allocated this budget year.

This bill is modeled in large part upon a national program, Museums for All, a marketing and outreach program designed to encourage greater access to museums for low-income or underserved populations. Research demonstrates the high value of museum-based learning experiences, particularly for disadvantaged students.

1. Related Legislation. AB 755 (E. Garcia), of the current session, was similar to this bill. AB 755 was later amended to a different subject matter and chaptered.

Analysis Prepared by: Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 25, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, TOURISM, AND INTERNET MEDIA

Kansen Chu, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1984 (

Author:Eduardo Garcia) – As Introduced Ver:January 31, 2018

SUBJECT: Museums: California Museums for All.

SUMMARY: This bill would establish the California Museums for All, under the administration of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE), to offer free to $3 admission fees for low income patrons, as provided, and would provide grants to participating museums for them to, among other things, enhance programs and exhibits to meet the needs of underserved communities or to provide its staff with adequate training and provide resources for collaborative outreach to low-income communities. Specifically, this bill:

1. Provides that the CCHE shall create and administer a California Museums for All grant program to support increased access to museums for low income communities, as specified.
2. Further provides that a museum participating in the California Museums for All may receive a grant from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment if it offers reduced admission fees ranging from free to three dollars ($3), to specified low income persons.
3. Allows a participating museum to also use the grant money to do any or all of the following:
   1. Enhance its programs and exhibits to meet the needs of underserved communities.
   2. Provide its staff with adequate training and provide resources for collaboration with the State Department of Social Services and local community service organizations to market the California Museums for All program to low-income communities.
4. Defines the term "museum" to mean, "a public or private nonprofit agency or institution organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes that utilizes a professional staff, owns or utilizes tangible objects, cares for the tangible objects, and exhibits the tangible objects to the public on a regular basis. Such term includes museums that have tangible and digital collections and includes aquariums, arboretums, botanical gardens, art museums, children's museums, general museums, historic houses and sites, history museums, nature centers, natural history and anthropology museums, planetariums, science and technology centers, specialized museums, and zoological parks."
5. Makes various Legislative findings and declarations.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE), consisting of 10 members as specified. Requires that those appointed be persons with distinguished achievements in specified fields, representative of diverse ethnic and other groups, and be geographically balanced. (Education Code Section 20053 and 20054.)
2. Allows the endowment to award grants and loans on a competitive basis to public agencies and non-profit organizations, including museums. Requires that priority be given, among others, to projects to preserve, interpret, and enhance understanding and appreciation of the state's subsequent cultural, social, and economic evolution. Allows the endowment to create financial and other incentives to support specified projects. (Education Code Section 20070.)
3. Allows funds to be granted or loaned to a non-profit organization if the non-profit organization enters into an agreement with the endowment on such terms and conditions as the endowment specifies. Specify requirements relating to non-profits and to grants for real property acquisition. (Education Code Section 20073.)
4. Requires the endowment, to the extent that funding is available, to establish a program to assist and enhance the services of the state's museums and of other groups and institutions that undertake cultural projects that are rooted in and reflective of previously underserved communities. Specify priorities for the program. (Education Code Section 20091.)
5. Creates the California Cultural and Historical Endowment Fund, and requires the endowment to report annually to the Legislature on the condition and status of the fund. (Education Code Section 20062.)

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This measure has been keyed fiscal by the Legislative Council.

COMMENTS:

1) Author and supporter's statement. According to the author, "Many museums offer programs that target specific, disadvantaged segments of their communities. In 2016, more than 2,000 museums participated in the Blue Star Museums initiative, offering free admission to all active-duty and reserve personnel and their families. (Source: National Endowment for the Arts). This effort served over 923,000 people, while many other museums offer military discounts or free admission throughout the year. Some museums invite veterans to tell first-hand accounts of events in our nation’s history or help veterans dealing with post-war stress. Museums provide many social services, including programs for children on the autism spectrum, English as a Second Language classes and programs for adults with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive impairments as well. (Source: American Alliance of Museums ‘Museums On Call’ report, 2013).

“The California Museums for All program will make museum visitation more accessible to low-income individuals and families and will help museums make better connections with underserved segments of their community. For museums participating in the national program, 4.4 percent of their total attendance in the first quarter of 2017 was through the Museums for All program. One of the greatest barriers preventing museums from participating in the national Museums for All program are the indirect costs of staff time to administer and market the program.”

The author points out the many benefits of museums and museum attendance, particularly children:

• Students who attend a field trip to an art museum experience an increase in critical thinking skills, historical empathy and tolerance. For students from rural or high-poverty regions, the increase was even more significant. (Source: Education Next ‘The Educational Value of Field Trips’, 2014).

• Children who visited a museum during kindergarten had higher achievement scores in reading, mathematics and science in third grade than children who did not. This benefit is also seen in the subgroup of children who are most at risk for deficits and delays in achievement. (Source: Swan, D.W. ‘The Effect of Informal Learning Environments on Academic Achievement during Elementary School’ paper presented to the American Educational Research Association, 2014).

• Seeing wildlife in zoos and aquariums has a measurable impact on the conservation attitudes and understanding of adult visitors. (Source: Falk, J.H.; Reinhard, E.M.; Vernon, C.L.; Bronnenkant, K.; Deans, N.L.; Heimlich, J.E., Why Zoos & Aquariums Matter: Assessing the Impact of a Visit, 2007).

• Art education has a measurable impact on youth at risk in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems, while also increasing overall academic performance. (Americans for the Arts, Arts Facts . . . Arts Programs for At-Risk Youth, 2000).

• Children's museums combine specific learning objectives with play in informal learning environments, which are developmentally appropriate for young children and grounded in well-established pedagogy. (Source: Association of Children’s Museums, The Case for Children’s Museums. 2005).

Supporters include the California Alliance for Arts Education, who support in part based upon their belief that, "Museums are strong partners in education." As the author notes, "The typical museum devotes three-quarters of its education budget to K-12 students. (Source: American Alliance of Museums ‘Museum Financial Information Survey’, 2009). Museums help teach the state and local curriculum, tailoring their programs in math, science, art, literacy, language arts, history, civics and government, economics and financial literacy, geography and social studies."

The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center (CIMCC) support is typical of the broad appeal this measure enjoys in the museum and historic preservation/education communities. They base their support on a belief that, "this bill increases access to educational resources and programs that benefit youth and families throughout our state." According to their letter, "CIMCC was founded in 1991 to create a statewide, issues-based museum that gives California Indians a voice in the telling of their histories. CIMCC is a place where the public can learn about tribal perspectives and where Native Americans can proudly view California Indian contributions to civilization. CIMCC's work as a cultural Institution reaches beyond traditional museum roles of education, resources and preservation. It is our goal to provide a forum for civic space, a dialogue for Ideas that Impact the history and future of Californians. We value the State of California's support in broadening museum audiences and helping museums serve all Californians, regardless of socioeconomic status."

2) The National Museums for All initiative. This measure is modeled in large part upon a national program, Museums for All, a marketing and outreach program designed to encourage greater access to museums. According to their website, "Museums for All is a cooperative initiative between Association of Children's' Museums and Institute of Museum and Library Services, to offer a signature access program that encourages families of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. Any museum that adheres to the following guidelines can be called a Museums for All museum:

• Offer individual admission fees ranging from free to $3.00 (USD) to individuals and families presenting an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and a valid form of photo ID. Museums for All admission rates must be offered for up to four individuals per EBT card. This admission rate must be available during all normal operating hours.
• Clearly publicize participation in Museums for All by posting information about access on their websites and other collateral.
• Use the approved Museums for All PR toolkit resources for branding of the program in all communications.
• Train sales and front line staff appropriately to ensure good customer service to individuals and families seeking to take advantage of the Museums for All program.
• Regularly report the number of visitors who utilize Museums for All admission.

3) Background: California cultural endowment.

a) The CCHE was established in the State Library in 2003 (AB 716, Firebaugh, Chapter 1126, Statutes of 2002) to assist and enhance the services of California’s museums and other institutions that undertake cultural projects. It was later moved to the State Department of Resources by AB 482 (Atkins) Chapter 590, Statutes of 2013. The CCHE is led by a 10-member board which includes the State Library (as chair), the Agency, the Director of Finance, three members appointed by the Governor, two members appointed by the Senate Rules Committee, and two members appointed by the Assembly Speaker.

Voters approved the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 40), which made available monies for the acquisition, restoration, preservation, and interpretation of California's historical and cultural resources. Over $120 million of Proposition 40 monies reserved for historical and cultural resources was appropriated to CCHE grants under its grant program.

b) CCHE Fund. Among its other provisions, AB 716 also created the CCHE Fund in the Education Code at Section 20060, which receives monies from gifts, donations, and other financial support from public and private sources. The Fund is continuously appropriated to the CCHE.

4) Prior related legislation.

a) AB 755 (E. Garcia), Chapter 709, Statutes of 2017, as heard in this committee, would have also established California Museums for All, under the administration of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE), to provide grants to participating museums for them to, among other things, offer free to $3 admission fees for low income patrons, as provided. In addition, that bill would have appropriated $4,500,000 from the General Fund to the CCHE for allocation for the California Museums for All, the Museum and Cultural Resources Program, and the administrative costs of these 2 programs. Status: Gut and amendment in the Senate removed the Museums For All provisions and the bill was Chaptered as a capital investment incentive program.

b) AB 716 (Firebaugh), Chapter 1126, Statutes of 2002, established the CCHE in the State Library in 2003 to assist and enhance the services of California’s museums and other institutions that undertake cultural projects.

c) AB 482 (Atkins) Chapter 590, Statutes of 2013, in relevant part, authorized and established a mechanism for the endowment to create a competitive grant program for museums.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

American Alliance of Museums

Association of Art Museum Directors

Autry Museum of the American West

Balboa Park Online Collaborative

Cabot's Pueblo Museum

California Alliance for Arts Education

California Arts Advocates

California Association of Museums

California Association of Nonprofits

California Association of Zoos and Aquariums

California Historical Society

California Indian Museum & Cultural Center

Camron Stanford House Museum

Carnegie Arts Center

Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center

Children's Creativity Museum

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

City of Roseville

Crocker Art Museum

Eastern Sierra Cultural Heritage Alliance

Exhibit Envoy

Exploratorium

Fresno Historical Society/Kearney Mansion Museum

Gateway Science Museum

Grace Hudson Museum & Sun House

Habitot Children's Museum

Heritage Museum of Orange County

Japanese American National Museum

Japanese Friendship Garden Society of San Diego

Kidspace Children’s Museum

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

March Field Air Museum

Mingei International Museum

Mission Inn Foundation

Museo Eduardo Carrillo

Museum Educators of Southern California

Museum of Western Film History

Museum on Main Street

New Americans Museum

Oakland Museum of California

Pleasanton Museum on Main

Pretend City Children's Museum

Randall Museum

Sacramento Area Museums

San Bernardino County Museum

San Diego Museum Council

San Diego Museum of Art

San Diego Museum of Man

San Jose Museum of Art

San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles

San Jose State University – Department of Art & Art History

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum

Skirball Cultural Center

SOMArts Cultural Center

Sonoma Valley Historical Society Inc.

Stirling City Historical Society

The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands

The Museum of African American Art

The New Children's Museum

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum

The Tech Museum of Innovation

Turtle Bay Exploration Center

Vacaville Museum

Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum

Wende Museum

Western Museums Association

Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art

Individuals:

Bernstein, Sheri

Caballero, Jennifer

Cuadra, Ruth

Monahan, Jessica

Tahan Ruddell, Joy

Opposition

There is no opposition on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Dana Mitchell / A.,E.,S.,T., & I.M. / (916) 319-3450