Member Spotlight on the California Arts Council

Submitted by SuJ'n on October 1, 2015

For the month of October, GIA's photo banner features artists and programs supported by the California Arts Council. Established in 1976 by Governor Jerry Brown, the council's mission is to advance California through the arts and creativity. California Arts Council is a Presenting Sponsor for the annual GIA conference happening this month in Los Angeles.

What is California Arts Council excited about these days?

In California, we are experiencing an extraordinary and long-awaited renewal of public support for the arts and creativity. Our Governor and state elected officials heard their constituents’ call for greater cultural expression and creativity in their communities, and listened to research that demonstrates how investing in the arts helps California thrive. For the first time in fifteen years, the California Arts Council has received a permanent increase in state support for the arts. Our current decision-makers “get it.” They recognize that the arts and creativity are vital to making California a great place to live, work, and visit. The California Arts Council has survived a fluctuating economy and resultant funding shortfalls to come up thriving in 2015.

We are excited about the many ways in which this increased investment will boost California’s arts field and the state as a whole. New resources result in new directions – and this support allows us to meet the needs of diverse Californians who can greatly benefit from deep arts engagement. This includes our state’s veterans, at-risk youth, incarcerated and institutionalized populations, underserved communities, and artists. We are proud to pilot new grant programs that support a wide range of projects crafted by each community to reflect their values and needs.

We are beyond excited about the bright future of the arts in California.

California Arts Council has been a member of GIA since 2002.

Learn more about California Arts Council and its grant programs.

Photo in post: Arts in Corrections-Marin Shakespeare.

You can also visit the photo gallery on our Photo Credits page.