Santa Cruz, CA ~ Arts Council Santa Cruz County announces the award of $55,000 to seven organizations playing a leadership role in the arts in Santa Cruz County. These grants were awarded through the Arts Council’s new Sponsor Grant program, which awards on-going annual support to organizations that produce excellent art, have healthy finances, and strong leadership. Grantees include: • Cabrillo Music Festival • Tandy Beal & the Friends of Olympia Station • Kuumbwa Jazz Center • Museum of Art & History, •Pajaro Valley Arts Council • Santa Cruz County Symphony • Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center.
“Kuumbwa Jazz is thrilled to receive a Sponsor Grant award from Arts Council Santa Cruz County! Their investment in Kuumbwa Jazz supports music as a unifying force bringing together people from diverse cultures,” said Bobbi Todaro, Managing Director of Kuumbwa Jazz Center after receiving word of their Sponsor Grant. She added, “The Arts Council is a trailblazer – no application process – stunning and appreciated more than words can express.”
Grantees will receive annual awards as long as their organization continues to meet the criteria of stable or improving finances, established or growing audiences, community leadership, and strong management. “Providing on-going support to these key organizations will, we hope, allow them to focus on what they do best,” said Grants & Technical Assistance Manager, Jim Brown.
This is just one of many changes in the Arts Council’s grant program that come in response to the organization’s new strategic plan. One of the strategies in the plan is focused on elevating both local arts and arts audiences through more responsive programming and services. Starting this year, applications for both Create Grants (funding arts and culture projects) and Develop Grants (funding professional development for artists and arts organizations) will be accepted year-round. A new, state-of-the-art, online grant application system makes the application process easier and more accessible. Another notable change is a larger and more diverse panel responsible for reviewing and scoring applications.
“These innovative changes to the grant program will help the Arts Council strengthen artists and arts organizations, and ultimately expand and enliven arts audiences in our community,” said Arts Council Executive Director Michelle Williams.
Founded in 1979, the Arts Council’s mission is to promote, connect, and invest in the arts in order to stimulate creativity and vibrancy in Santa Cruz County. Visit the Council’s website: www.artscouncilsc.org.