Arts groups share $100K grant fromCreative Sonoma

Three Sonoma Valley arts organizations are among 15 county groups sharing $100,000 for summer arts youth programs.

Last week, the Board of Supervisors awarded 15 grants for summer arts youth program across the county. Arts programs will take place between now and Sept. 15 at art centers, schools and community centers.

Valley recipients include ArtEscape, the Sonoma Community Center and the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art.

This is the second year of funding from the county for this program, which reached nearly 1,500 youth with close to 1,500 hours of arts programming last summer.

The grant program was administrated by Creative Sonoma, a countywide arts initiative through the county’s Economic Development Board.

Projects that were funded will serve students in age ranges from 5 to 18, and include programs that teach young people arts skills in music, theater, dance, writing, film and more. Workshops also include training in the business skillls necessary to have a career in a creative field, and life skills such as communication, teamwork and creative problem solving.

“Studies confirm that the arts help develop students’ critical thinking and collaboration skills, among many other positive benefits,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Efren Carrillo. “Summer arts programs can also help students avoid the learning loss that can occur over the break from school.”

This allocation of $100,000 recognizes the ongoing efforts of Sonoma County’s nonprofit arts organizations to bring arts exploration to young people.

For more information on Creative Sonoma and the Summer Arts Youth Program Grants, contact Kristen Madsen at kristen.madsen@sonoma-county.org.