Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County

The Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County leads and advances the arts by providing funding, advocacy, and support to local artists and arts organizations. We envision a vibrant Santa Cruz County, where individual and collective artistic expression thrives and where the arts are a valued part of all aspects of our diverse culture, economy, and everyday life.

The Council supports a wide range of opportunities to learn from and engage with the arts community, leads community collaborations and partnerships, and communicates the essential value of the arts to society. Our programs and services include:

• Grant making – Allocating over $300,000 in grants each year to strengthen established art institutions and encourage up-and-comers;

• SPECTRA Matching Grants - Awarding grants to bring professional working artists into schools for workshops, residencies, and performances;

• Mariposa’s Art – Providing after-school art, music, and leadership programs for local youth;

• Exhibitions – Featuring jury-selected artists in Santa Cruz Government Center throughout the year and partnering with the City of Santa Cruz to present a rotating exhibit of children’s art in Council chambers;

• Open Studios – Taking place during the first three weekends in October, this yearly event presents a chance to visit hundreds of artists’ studios throughout the county and to see the creative process at work;

• Technical Assistance – Providing professional development tools for local artists in the management and marketing of their work; and

• Cultural Council Associates – Meeting regularly to examine issues within the creative landscape and develop professionally, this group is composed of artists, arts organizations, and experts in the field who share an interest in keeping the arts vibrant and thriving in Santa Cruz County.

For further information, please visit our website: www.ccscc.org

1101 Pacific Avenue, Suite 320

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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