New grant program for California artists

“We want our process to be as inclusive and accessible as possible and to draw upon creative processes that spur conversation ... ” — Eliza Tudor, executive director at Nevada County Arts Council

The state of California is making an investment in the arts. The “California Creative Corps” program will award $60 million in grants statewide to implement media, outreach and engagement campaigns.

The goal is to increase awareness related to issues such as public health, water and energy conservation, climate mitigation and emergency preparedness, relief and recovery.

The Nevada County Arts Council is the administering organization for the upstate region, which covers 19 counties in the northern part of the state. It will award more than $3 million in grants for artists, as well as for arts and social service organizations that will employ artists between spring 2023 and spring 2024.

“We are identifying issues that are specific to communities across our service region, and inviting artists to position themselves to create awareness around them and get paid for it,” said Eliza Tudor, executive director at Nevada County Arts Council.

“We want our process to be as inclusive and accessible as possible and to draw upon creative processes that spur conversation around how to create lasting change that our diverse populations can take pride in.”

The launch of a statewide Creative Corps pilot program is the result of a recommendation from the governor’s economic and jobs recovery task force and is the first of its kind in the nation. Grant applications are now open and will run until April 14. To learn more, visit www.upstatecreativecorps.org.