"Create a State" and
the Million Plates Drive

The "Create a State" campaign - conceived, designed and produced by Los Angeles-based ad agency Industrial Creative - directly links arts education to creativity, innovation and success in every field. Billboards, a voucher card program, online initiatives, social networking campaigns and more work together to promote the vital role of the arts in California education, elevate awareness of the Arts Plate and and inspire California drivers to get one million California Arts Plates on the road.

The "Create a State Campaign" is the marketing campaign fueling the Million Plates Drive, a massive statewide public/private fundraising effort to raise $40 million annually for the California Arts Council's arts education and local arts programs through the sale of one million Arts Plates.

Iconic cultural, business and civic leaders are joining the Million Plates Drive as "Arts Drivers" to represent how creativity plays a vital role for success in a variety of careers. By participating in the "Create a State" campaign, they are helping to ensure that California's innovative companies and creative workforce continue to be the envy of the world for generations to come.

CURRENT ARTS DRIVERS (In alphabetical order):

• Debbie Allen
• Herb Alpert
• Annette Bening
• Jack Black
• Eli Broad
• Father Greg Boyle
• Vernon Davis
• Placido Domingo
• The Edge
• Harrison Ford
• David Geffen
• Frank Gehry
• Cast of "Glee"
• Macy Gray
• Quincy Jones
• Steve Martin
• Ozomatli
• Wolfgang Puck
• Robert Redford
• Tim Robbins
• Ed Ruscha
• Maria Shriver
• Russell Simmons
• Alice Waters

History

Over 60 percent of the California Arts Council's budget already comes from sales and renewals of the Arts Plate – funding that directly supports and sustains arts education and arts programs for kids and communities all across the state.

The California Arts Plate was created through special legislation in 1994. It is a joint project between the California Arts Council and the Department of Motor Vehicles and was the first specialty plate program in the U.S. designed solely to benefit the arts. The plate image is titled "Coastline" and was created by renowned California artist Wayne Thiebaud in 1993. Since then the iconic image has become famous worldwide, and sales and renewals of the plate have provided millions of dollars to support arts programs in California.

By purchasing the Arts Plate, you are joining the drive to generate $40 million annually for arts education programs in California. The Million Plates Drive will create a state of innovation and ensure that California continues to be the envy of the world in creative and innovative fields for generations to come.

California needs innovation.
Innovation needs the arts.

Exposure to and training in the arts cultivate the creativity and innovation that are key to success in every field…and California needs big thinkers more than ever.

The arts contribute to California's economy in a very direct way:

• 2X - More film and entertainment-related jobs in California than any other state in the country.
• 680,000+ - Full and part-time creative jobs, many in high-growth fields.
• $201.1 billion - total 2010 estimated economic impact of the creative economy in Los Angeles and Orange Counties alone.

The economy of this great state depends on creativity, imagination and innovation, yet California is not investing in the creative future of our state:

• 49 - California's rank among the 50 states in per capita arts spending (California moved up from "dead last" when Kansas eliminated its arts budget in 2011).
• Texas and Mississippi - The only two states with a higher dropout rate than California. Studies are beginning to show that exposure to arts education reduces dropout rates.
• 89% - of California's K-12 schools fail to provide arts education in the recommended four disciplines of music, dance, theater, and visual arts.

Help us ensure that California continues to be known for its innovative companies and creative workforce for years to come: join the Million Plates Drive today!

Frequently-Asked Questions

Are Arts Plates tax deductible?

Arts Plate purchases and renewals may be considered a charitable deduction for tax purposes, according to the Franchise Tax Board. Businesses may also investigate with their accounting experts whether Arts Plate or Arts Plate Voucher Card purchases may be considered business expenses for tax purposes.

How do I order an Arts Plate?

Click the "BUY" button to the left and you will be directed to the DMV's order site for "Special Interest License Plates." Very soon you'll be able to order plates directly from this site, but don't wait!

How are the Arts Plate funds spent?

100% of the proceeds from sales of the Arts Plate go directly to the Arts Plate Fund, which benefits communities statewide through California Arts Council. Over 300 nonprofit arts programs receive support from the California Arts Council's programs and initiatives- providing arts programming for kids and communities in every county in the state.

How much of the fee goes to the arts?

For each standard and personalized Arts Plate, approximately $35 of the initial purchase and $40 (100%) of the renewal is placed in the Arts Plate Fund.

What's the difference between a standard plate and a personalized plate?

A standard plate has a randomly chosen set of numbers and letters chosen by the DMV. A personalized plate has letters and numbers specifically chosen by the owner of the vehicle. A standard Arts Plate purchase is $50 with a $40 annual renewal; personalized Arts Plate are $98 with a $78 renewal.

Does the Arts Council get more if I pay more for the personalized plate?

The California Arts Council receives the same amount for both types of plates – just under $35 for the initial cost and then $40 for renewal.

How many letters and/or numbers can I have on my Arts Plate?

You may request a combination that is no more than six (6) character spaces and they must be a unique combination that does not currently exist on any California license plate. While other plates may have seven characters, there is only room for six on the Arts Plate.

If I already have a personalized plate, may I transfer the message to an Arts Plate?

Yes, as long as the message is no more than six characters. Because a new plate will have to be manufactured, the cost will be $98 for the initial purchase with a $78 annual renewal.

Can I keep my current random number license plate number?

No. When you order an Arts Plate, a new sequence of six characters will be assigned to you.

Do I have to wait for my annual registration renewal to get my Arts Plate?

No. You may purchase the plate at any time during your registration cycle.

I'm buying a new car. Can I get an Arts Plate from the dealership?

Soon! Starting this summer, the Arts Plate will be available at the point of purchase at new car dealerships around the state.

Until then we recommend that new-car owners be issued a standard white plate and then order their Arts Plate through the internet directly from the DMV. It's the easiest way to get an Arts Plate and has the quickest turnaround.

When and how will I receive the plates?

The DMV asks that you allow approximately 6-10 weeks to process your order. Sequential plates will be mailed to applicants as soon as the plates are ready. If you order a personalized Arts Plate, you will receive a notice to pick it up at your local DMV. Personalized plates can sometimes take up to 10 weeks if orders are backed up.

Can I order an Arts Plate for my motorcycle?

Unfortunately, no. At the present time, the Arts Plate is only available for automobiles and trucks.

Did an artist design the Arts Plate?

The Arts Plate (officially titled "Coastline") was designed by renowned Northern California artist Wayne Thiebaud. The Arts Plate is the most popular specialty plate in California, and its sunset and palm trees image is often thought of as one of the "icons" of California's car culture.

Can the Arts Plate image be used for other purposes?

No. The Arts Plate image, titled "Coastline," has a copyright by the artist Wayne Thiebaud and may only be used by the DMV for the California Arts License Plate program, or by the DMV and the California Arts Council to promote the California Arts Plate. Any other use of the "Coastline" image (especially non-plate related advertising) is in violation of the copyright.

If I have any questions, where may I direct them?

Many answers to license plate ordering questions may be answered on the DMV ordering website here. We've noticed that specialty plates can sometimes take up to 10 weeks to process, if orders are backed up. If you're still stumped and need answers, please feel free to:

Call the California Arts Council at (800) 201-6201 weekdays between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Send an email to info@artsplate.org and we will get back to you promptly.

Promote

If you appreciate the critical need for arts education, sign up for Million Plates Drive updates so you can help as this exciting campaign develops.

Sign up for Million Plates Drive Updates Email:

The Million Plates Drive will help to place creativity back into California schools and communities, but we can't sell one million Arts Plates without your help!

Coming soon, you'll be able to download web ads, playbill ads, and campaign collateral right here so that you can help to promote the campaign in your community.

Artist Wayne Thiebaud

This pop artist contemporary of Andy Warhol is famous for his still life images of food, especially sweets, painted in bright pastels with thick strokes. A 2001 issue of Time dedicated to the Western states called Thiebaud "The Poet of Pastry," saying that "Wayne Thiebaud offers deep pleasures in the everyday, from pies and cakes to slices of landscapes."

Thiebaud moved to California at a young age and is often considered California's artistic native son. He started as a commercial artist after attending Long Beach Polytechnic High School, working briefly at Walt Disney Studios, studying commercial art at the Frank Wiggins School in Los Angeles, and working as a cartoonist in Long Beach in the 1930s. After World War II he attended San Jose State College and Cal State Sacramento for an advanced degree in art, and then gained national recognition in the 1960s with his still-life images of food. He has taught in numerous California institutions, especially a long stint at University of California at Davis where he is currently a professor emeritus.

From Idea to Icon

The California Arts License Plate was created through special legislation in 1994. It is a joint project between the California Arts Council and the Department of Motor Vehicles and was the first specialty-plate program in the U.S. designed solely to benefit the arts. The plate image is titled Coastline and was created by renowned California artist Wayne Thiebaud in 1993. Since then the iconic image has become famous worldwide, and sales and renewals of the plate have provided millions of dollars to support arts programs in California.

L.A. Summer Music Sessions

Leimert Park Mural

When the Arts License Plate was first released, Sylvester Stallone encouraged car owners to be arts supporters and "bolt ‘em to your car!" More recently former California Arts Council member Annette Bening reminded Californians that "kids come alive with the arts" in an animated PSA.

The DMV has asked customers to please allow approximately 6-8 weeks to process orders. Sequential plates will be mailed to applicants as soon as the plates are ready. For a personalized Art License Plate, the car owner will receive a notice to pick up the plate at the local DMV field office. California registered car owners may order the California Arts License Plate through the DMV.

Become an Arts Driver

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Mendocino County Mosaic

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