Advocacy

The Arts Commission encourages community members to recognize the role of arts and creativity in their lives. Advocacy efforts focus on providing information and education about the importance of the arts, recognizing individuals and organizations involved in the arts, and partnering with arts advocacy organizations on the state, regional and local levels.

Arts Advocacy on the State Level

The Arts Commission works directly with the State-level organizations including Californians for the Arts, California Arts Advocates, and CREATE CA on a number of year-round advocacy projects. One of the Arts Commission’s important projects involves a yearly partnership with Californians for the Arts on Arts, Culture and Creativity Month of April. This annual month-long event raises awareness about the value of the arts and empowers arts advocates to take action. Cities in Alameda County are encouraged to arrange a city proclamation in honor of Arts, Culture and Creativity Month (template provided). The Arts Commission also works in partnership with Create CA to support high-quality arts education for all students. For a list of State and National Arts Organizations, click here.

NEW! The Alameda County Arts Commission will be hosting Virtual Legislative Meetings in early May. This will be an opportunity for members of the arts community to meet on Zoom with State-level Elected Officials who represent areas of Alameda County. This is a great way to share information about the importance of arts, culture and creativity in our community.

If you are interested in participating in one or more of the Virtual Legislative Meetings led by the Alameda County Arts Commission, please complete the form at this link. It is anticipated that the meetings will take place during May 1 – 5 with the possibility that meetings will also take place during the second week of May.

In mid-April, the Alameda County Arts Commission will contact participants by email with the meeting dates and zoom links for the Virtual Legislative Meetings.

Arts Advocacy on the Regional Level

The Arts Commission works in partnership with the East Bay Arts and Cultural Alliance which is a coalition of organizations located throughout the region working together to strengthen the arts and cultural community.

Arts Advocacy on the Local Level

Advocacy Network for City-Level Arts Commissions and Agencies

The Arts Commission convenes monthly meetings with City-Level arts commissions and agencies to share information about County and Statewide opportunities related to the arts.

Advocacy through Celebrating Local Arts Community Leaders

Arts Leadership Awards Program

Each year, the Alameda County Arts Commission invites County residents to submit nominations for the Alameda County Arts Leadership Awards. This annual program enables the Alameda County Arts Commission to recognize five individuals, one from each of the five districts of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, for their outstanding achievements and contributions impacting the arts community and the residents of Alameda County.

Please Submit a Nomination by May 15th!

Nominees must be residents of Alameda County and involved in an arts discipline including, but not limited to, music, dance, visual arts, literature, theater, film and video, traditional crafts and folk arts, and new media. Nominees must be affiliated with an Alameda County arts organization through their role as an artist, staff person, board member, teacher, volunteer, donor, supporter, advocate, etc. For complete details, please review the online nomination instructions.

Alameda County community members may each submit one nomination. Nomination statements must include a description of the nominee’s major achievements in the arts that have benefited the community and residents of Alameda County; the impact and results of the achievements; and other background information about the nominee’s contributions to the Alameda County arts community such as what distinguishes the nominee from their peers or colleagues.

Each year, the nominations are due in May, the Members of the Alameda County Arts Commission review the nominations in June, and the award recipients will be recognized by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in early October as part of the County’s celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month.

For more information, please contact the Office of the Alameda County on the Contact Us Page. Links to Nomination Instructions, List of Past Award Recipients, and Online Nomination Platform.

The 2022 Arts Leadership Awards Recipients are:

Dennis Baker
Tina Blaine
Anne Giancola
Naomi Johnson-Diouf
Naru Kwina
Ruey Lin Syrop

To learn more about the program and the award recipients, please see our press release.

Zoom screenshot of Arts Leadership Awards Recipients, appointed members of the Alameda County Arts Commission, and Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert during the Alameda County Board of Supervisors meeting on October 4, 2022.