Frida Cinema to Manage Santa Ana ArtWalk

Santa Ana’s acclaimed nonprofit Frida Cinema has taken over management of the Santa Ana ArtWalk. Held on the first Saturday of each month, the free event features multiple exhibitions and open galleries in addition to performances. 

“I’ve long considered First Saturday ArtWalk to be the flagship monthly cultural event in Downtown Santa Ana, and I know that’s a sentiment shared by so many in our community,” said Frida Cinema Executive Director Logan Crow. “Particularly after the myriad of challenges our community has faced over the last few years, it would have been a tremendous loss to see these events cease to be, so it’s an incredible honor for The Frida Cinema to take the reins as ArtWalk’s producer, and as the custodians of its growth and sustainability. We were so grateful to be able to work quickly to kick off the New Year with a wonderful ArtWalk in January, and we look forward to continuing to partner with fellow artists and leaders in identifying opportunities for expansion for this beloved monthly celebration of creativity, community, and collaboration.”

Read more here.

$150,000 Restoration Grant for Modjeska

The oldest building at the Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens is being restored thanks to a “Save America’s Treasures” federal grant. The two-story stone house was built in the 1870s, and is one of only two National Historic Landmarks in Orange County.

Read more here.

Camino Real Playhouse Announces Upcoming Move

In light of the sale of Camino Real Playhouse’s longtime San Juan Capistrano home, the organization has announced that they will be moving to a new location. Playhouse President Leslie Eisner revealed that an anonymous donor has offered to buy a new building, with the conditions that the group must remain in San Juan Capistrano, and that they must raise the money to retrofit the building into a theatre.

Read more here.

Launch Event for the 2023 Otis College Report on the Creative Economy 

For the first time since 2020, Otis College will host an in-person launch event to release its newest report. Now in its 16th year, the Otis College Report on the Creative Economy is a vital annual resource that focuses on the ways in which California’s creative industries form an essential part of its overall economy. The event will take place in the Mark Taper Auditorium in the Richard J. Riordan Central Library.

For free tickets to the launch, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/launch-event-for-the-2023-otis-college-report-on-the-creative-economy-tickets-515356373787

To download the report after February 10, visit: https://www.otis.edu/creative-economy

Grant Opportunities

WESTAF’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artist fund is now accepting applications. This fund is open to all artists looking for support in the advancement of their artistic practices and goals.

Read more here.

The California State Library is pleased to announce funding for the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program. The purpose of this grant program is to ensure that the events surrounding the exclusion, forced removal, and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II are remembered so that they are never repeated against any American.

Read more here.

OC Theatre Guild Unveils List

of Award Nominees

"King Kong" at the Maverick Theatre, which received four nominations.

Nominees for the second annual OC Theatre Guild awards were officially announced during the Guild’s membership meeting on January 21. The Chance Theatre leads the nominations with 47, followed by The Wayward Artist with 21.

For a full list of nominees, read more here.

Nominations for 2023 OC Arts Awards

Being Accepted

Arts Orange County is now accepting nominations for the 23rd OC Arts Awards. The benefit evening that recognizes and celebrates Orange County arts organizations, artists, and arts patrons will be held on October 17 at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts' Samueli Theater.

For nomination guidelines and to submit a nominee, click here.

Seats Still Available for Free Lecture

by NEA Chair

Photo by David K. Riddick

Arts Orange County will present a live, in person talk by National Endowment for the Arts Chair Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson as its 13th Creative Edge Lecture on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

Admission to the lecture is free of charge thanks to the generosity of sponsors, but reservations are required through the Irvine Barclay Theatre ticket office. The Creative Edge Lecture is presented in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and the 4th District PTA.

For reservations, visit: https://www.thebarclay.org/buy-tickets/2022-2023-events/13th-annual-creative-edge-lecture.html

Seeking Workshop & Performing Artists for Día del Niño Festival

Proposals are now being accepted for both performers and artists offering hands-on youth art workshops for Arts Orange County's and Media Arts Santa Ana's annual Día del Niño. The event is a partnership with Imaginology and the OC Fair & Event Center, and is part of Imagination Celebration. To submit your application, visit www.ocdiadelnino.org

We acknowledge with respect our presence on the ancestral lands of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians - Acjachemen Nation and the Tongva People.