MONTEREY COUNTY — The Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) has announced that it has awarded $110,520 in Arts and Cultural Impact Grants to 23 local arts organizations and nonprofit organizations with art programs.
This funding, provided by the County of Monterey and the Board of Supervisors, aims to support the arts and cultural initiatives in the community. These grants represent the second round of awards this fiscal year, following the first round awarded in the fall.
“The number of fantastic organizations that applied for grants this grant cycle was overwhelming. I wish there was enough funding to support all the organizations in need,” said Jacquie Atchison, executive director of Arts4MC. “It just goes to show the high demand for arts funding in our county.”
Arts and Cultural Impact Grants are available to nonprofit organizations seeking support for public arts and culture projects/programs. The range of programs supported this grant cycle is extensive, including initiatives like storytelling for healing, using art with animals to help trauma-impacted youth, bringing music to the senior community, dance programs for Parkinson’s patients, and supporting such cultural celebrations as Festa Italia.
All applications were reviewed by an independent panel of jurors, including Audrey Summers, Bob Robe, Cathryn Wilkinson, Christian Mendelson, Gail Salgado, Julia Echenique, Mary Linzer, Megan Whilden, Mike Buffo, Natalie Rava, Peter Kasavan, Robert Richmond, Ruth Rodriquez, Sandie Borthwick, Terrence Gargiulo and Thom Taft.
Following are the 2024 Spring Arts and Cultural Impact recipients and their county district number: Filipino Community Club of Salinas Valley Foundation (D1), Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations (D1), Ye Old Main Street Foundation (DBA Salinas Valley Food and Wine Festival) (D1), Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño (D2), Prunedale Senior Center (D2), Wonder Wood Ranch (D2), Hijos del Sol Arts Productions (D3), The Parenting Connection of Monterey County (D3), Sol Treasures (D3), Action Council (D4), Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries (D4), Community Partnership for Youth (D4), Camerata Singers (D4), Pacific Grove Breaker Choir (D5), Monterey Bay Power Over Parkinson’s (D5), The Lyceum of Monterey County (D5), I Cantori di Carmel (D5), Festa Italia Foundation (D5), Pacific Repertory Theatre (D5), Monterey Peninsula Gospel Community Choir (D5), Monterey Jazz Festival (D5), Jade Events Unlimited (D5), and Sunset Cultural Center (D5).
For those interested, the next funding cycle will open in the fall, and more information can be found at arts4mc.org/grants.