Creative Sonoma to award grants to ‘emerging’ local artists

Nominations and entries accepted until July 1.|

Creative Sonoma, a division of Sonoma County’s Economic Development Board, wants to recognize up to six “emerging” visual artists living and working in Sonoma County with a $2,000 stipend and an exhibit of their work at the Petaluma Arts Center in early 2017.

The Artist Awards Endowment Fund was created by more than 50 donors from 2007-11 with support from the James Irvine Foundation.

“The creative industries comprise a growing sector of our local economy,” said Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo. “Our Board takes great pride in supporting the remarkable artistic and cultural offerings thriving in Sonoma County and this program, in partnership with the Community Foundation Sonoma County, is a great step forward toward accomplish that goal.”

Recommendations will be accepted from professionals in the arts community including museum, gallery, art center staff, visual artists in all media, and individuals involved in buying, selling or exhibiting art. Self-nominations will also be accepted.

Recommendations should include the recommender’s name, the artist’s name and contact information, and the artist’s website if applicable. Recommendations should be sent to DiscoveredCreativeSonoma@sonoma-county.org no later than Friday, July 1.

Jurors for the show include Kate Eilertsen, who is also the lead curator, Michael Schwager from Sonoma State University, and local visual artist Jessica Martin.

The Discovered program defines “emerging artists” as those in the early stages of their career who demonstrate exceptional creative excellence, who have not had prior museum exhibitions, and who are not affiliated with a gallery.

Artists working in drawing, mixed media, digital arts, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture are eligible for recommendation.

Eligible artists must be at least 21 years old and live in Sonoma County.

For more information, contact kristen.madsen@sonoma-county.org

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