“Yes for the Arts 2026,” a proposed ballot measure for the November 2026 election, seeks to provide funding to select arts organizations in the city of Berkeley. However, the measure must garner enough signatures before it can be placed on the November ballot. 

The measure would impose a parcel tax of $0.07 per square foot on properties and is expected to generate more than $5.5 million annually, according to the Yes for Berkeley Arts website. The funds would go toward “nonprofit performing arts organizations, including theaters, music and dance venues, concerts, and festivals,” according to the website.

“Berkeley has always been a place that has been defined by the arts, and there’s just a lot of concern in the community that if we don’t act, that legacy could go away,” said Noah Finneburgh, a campaign consultant. “We want to make sure that folks have a chance to vote on this to really reaffirm that Berkeley is a place that’s defined by the arts and proud of its art tradition.”

Patrick Dooley, artistic director of Shotgun Players, said qualifying arts organizations in Berkeley would have the opportunity to apply for a grant from the measure’s fund. 

The grant would cover 8% to 12% of the organization’s annual operating budget, according to Dooley. He specified that only organizations with offices and programming in the city of Berkeley would be eligible for the grant.

Shotgun Players is a group among a coalition of Berkeley arts organizations working to pass the measure. The coalition’s organizations also include Berkeley Repertory Theatre, The UC Theatre, Berkeley Playhouse, The Freight and Berkeley Symphony.

“It’s a tax, but there will be a net gain in property values for folks, because it keeps the city a vibrant place to live, and it’s also great for all the surrounding businesses,” Dooley said.

A condition of the grant is that organizations must “show that they are making specific accommodations for Berkeley residents,” such as discounted tickets, classes or available space for rehearsal, according to Dooley.

The measure additionally describes threats that Berkeley’s arts organizations are facing, including “rebuilding audience attendance post-pandemic” and “rising labor and production costs.”

“Berkeley’s arts legacy is under threat right now from a range of post-pandemic challenges,” said Igor Tregub, the city’s council member for Downtown Berkeley “We have had some very unfortunate closures already of some Berkeley theaters, including Aurora Theater … hopefully this arts measure would actually help theaters like those reopen.”

Both Tregub and Dooley cited rescinded federal grants as a concern for arts organizations. 

Tregub noted that, according to city staff, $40,000 of funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, or NEA, has been withdrawn.

“The time is now to get this measure on the ballot and pass it,” Tregub said. “The arts are such a vital part of what makes Berkeley such a unique, beloved community. We cannot afford to wait another election cycle to make sure that these cultural institutions are protected at a time when arts and culture are under attack across the nation.”