2023 Arts, Culture and Creativity Month

On April 6, the City of Berkeley hosted an Arts, Culture and Creativity Month Kick-Off for the State of California presented in partnership with Berkeley Civic Arts, Californians for the Arts, and Alameda County Arts Commission at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre courtyard. As part of the event, City of Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín presented a proclamation in honor of Arts, Culture and Creativity Month to Berkeley arts leaders: Dana Blecher, Berkeley Civic Arts Commission Chair; Riti Dhesi, Berkeley Civic Arts Commission Vice-Chair; and Kim Acebo Arteche and Tim Kim, Co-Chairs of the Berkeley Cultural Trust. To honor the statewide leadership of Californians of the Arts (CFTA), the office of California Senator Nancy Skinner gave a certificate of recognition to Julie Baker, CFTA’s CEO. The event also included remarks from Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson’s office. Special guests included Berkeley City Council Member and poet Terry Taplin, and representatives from the offices of Congresswomen Barbara Lee and California State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks.

Pictured from left to right: Ilaf Esuf, Senior Field Representative for Assemblymember Buffy Wicks; Marcella Cortez, District Director for Congresswoman Barbara Lee; Gabriel Sandoval, Executive Assistant for Senator Nancy Skinner; Terry Taplin, Berkeley City Council Member; Rachel Osajima, Director of the Alameda County Arts Commission; Breeanna Decker, Field Representative for Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson; Jen Lovvorn, Chief Cultural Affairs Officer for the City of Berkeley; Jesse Arreguín, Mayor of the City of Berkeley; Dana Blecher, Berkeley Civic Arts Commission Chair; Riti Dhesi, Berkeley Civic Arts Commission Vice-Chair; Kim Acebo Arteche, Co-Chair of the Berkeley Cultural Trust (and co-director of the Berkeley Arts Center); Tim Kim, Co-Chair of the Berkeley Cultural Trust (and director of the Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco); Julie Baker, CEO of Californians for the Arts. Photo by Paul Kuroda.

Photo by Paul Kuroda.

Alameda County Veterans Art Partnership Exhibition

The Alameda County Arts Commission’s Veterans Art Partnership, which is now in its eighth year, celebrated with a reception for the Veterans Art Exhibition presented in partnership with the Oakland Vet Center, Hayward Arts Council, and the Hayward Public Library. In November of 2022, Oakland Vet Center Director Glynis Banks received a certificate of recognition from Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle and Melissa Wilk, Alameda County Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder. This certificate recognized the Oakland Vet Center and the Veterans and their family members from throughout the county that participated in the Alameda County Arts Commission’s Veterans Art Partnership. The exhibition featured 60 artworks created by 32 Veterans and their family members through the Veterans Art Partnership. The goal of the exhibition was to share the vision and voice of Veterans and their family members with the broader public who can learn firsthand about the Veteran experience.

The Veterans Art Partnership exhibition may now be viewed at the Alameda County Administration Building located at 1221 Oak Street on the 5th Floor Lobby Gallery in Oakland. The building is open to the public during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm through July 25.

2023 ARTSFUND Grant Progam

Grants for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Alameda County

Online Application is Now Available at https://acac.grantplatform.com
Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 5:00pm

The Alameda County Arts Commission is pleased to announce the 2023 ARTSFUND Grant Program for Alameda County-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. Standard grant awards are $2,000-$3,000 each. The application deadline is Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Visit the ARTSFUND page to see the Guidelines and information about free webinars.

The ARTSFUND Grant Program supports all types of arts and cultural programs such as visual arts, dance, music, theater, literature, media arts, and other art forms presented by Alameda County nonprofit organizations.

Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations

The Alameda County Arts Commission wants to keep the arts community informed with up-to-date information, resources and opportunities for support for artists, arts organizations, and the arts sector. Click on the links below for more information.

Americans for the Arts
Federal Arts Advocacy

California Arts Council
Grant Opportunities, News and Resources

Californians for the Arts
News, Resources and Events

California Arts Advocates
Arts Advocacy

Create CA
Arts Education Advocacy