Local Artists Join 2020 Census Chalk Party

Press release from the County of Santa Cruz:

June 28, 2020

The Santa Cruz County Census has partnered with local artists, the City of Santa Cruz, the City of Watsonville and the Arts Council Santa Cruz County to help get the word out on the #2020Census through beautiful works of chalk art.

Participating artists include: Linda Cover, Paul Dee, Fanne Fernow, Piper Lee, Nessa Ledesma, Josue Lopez, Priscilla Martinez, Melissa Marzan, Yesenia Molina, Erika Perloff, Elija Pfotenhauer and Rica de la Luz Smith.

Artists will be working in downtown Watsonville, Aptos, downtown Santa Cruz, Beach Flats and along West Cliff Drive.

In addition to the work of the artists, the Santa Cruz County community was also invited to participate by showing Census support at their home or business. The dynamic chalk art created by both the artists and residents will be highlighted on the Census social media channels and the Census website.

Santa Cruz County’s response rate through June 24 is 68.5 percent, above the national average of 61.7 percent. It has never been easier to respond — all without having to meet a census taker. This is important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline for filling out the Census has been extended until October 31. Residents can fill it out online or by phone.

When responding:
• Respond for where you live as of April 1 (Census Day).
• Include everyone who usually lives and sleeps in your home as of April 1, even if they are staying somewhere else temporarily. This includes relatives, friends, roommates and anyone else who lives and sleeps in your home most of the time — even children under age five and babies born on or before April 1, even if they are still in the hospital.
• College students should count where they live while attending school. If they live on campus, they will be counted by school officials and do not need to respond. However, if they live off campus, they should respond to the census using their off-campus address, even if they are currently staying elsewhere.
• Find additional answers about “Who to Count” at 2020census.gov.
Every uncounted person translates into a loss of $2,000 in revenue per year over ten years. Over the next decade, even a five percent undercount means $272 million in lost funding.

For more information on the U.S. Census, go to 2020Census.gov. For information on local Census organizing efforts, go to www.santacruzcountycounts.us or find updates on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Artist Nessa Ledesma will begin her piece Saturday, June 27 in Beach Flats park at noon.

This press release was produced by the County of Santa Cruz. The views expressed here are the author's own.