Press Release from Sierra County Arts Council

SIERRA CITY - Sierra County Arts Council is pleased to offer Art and Music Sponsorships (AMS) 2022. The Sierra County Arts Council is always seeking opportunities to bring more cultural events and programs to our geographically isolated communities. We do not enjoy the same volunteer base and funding resources as our urban neighbors. The AMS program is designed to make the greatest use of our resources and to collaborate with local organizations to bring more art and music to all parts of Sierra County. We introduced the AMS program in 2016 and since then have funded music for events for local organizations across Sierra County including the Loyalton Rotary, local library summer reading programs, the Forest City Historical Society, Downieville Lions, local community improvement groups, the Sierra County Historical Society, local fire departments, and many other organizations.

B. J. Jordan, Executive Director of the Sierra County Arts Council, has been busy working with art advocacy groups across the state to promote funding for the arts, particularly in the rural frontier of Sierra County. As a result, we have seen an increase in funding to our local arts council through the California Arts Council. The Arts Council has also applied for and received funding for Covid Relief grants. As a result of these efforts, the Arts Council has bolstered the Art & Music Sponsorship program and expanded it to include individual artists and their projects.

Local organizations, civic groups, non-governmental organizations, and nonprofits are eligible to apply for funding to hire artists and musicians to enhance events and programming through the AMS program. Individual artists may also apply for funding to support their work and projects. Funding of up to $500 per year per organization or individual is available through the AMS program.

All events and programming must take place in Sierra County. All funds will be paid directly to the musician or artist providing the service. Events and programs funded through the AMS program will be featured on the Sierra County Arts Council's website calendar of events. The easy one page application may be downloaded on our website at www.sierracountyartscouncil.org or contact B.J. Jordan at bj@sierracountyartscouncil.org or telephone 530-289-3673. Funds are limited and awarded on a first come first served basis. Organizations that have not received funding in the past will have priority this year. The Sierra County Arts Council is State-Local Partner with the California Arts Council.