Concord Art Association, seven other arts groups receive $2,000 grants

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Jan. 7, 2025) — The Concord Art Association is among the recipients of the first District Arts Partner grants, which benefit artist-led organizations that provide vital community art services in Contra Costa County.

The non-profit Concord Art Association has supported artists and community art events with a variety of programs since 1963. Activities include exhibits of member art, classes, student scholarships, teacher grants and public art projects in collaboration with the city of Concord.

Other $2,000 award winners are the Alamo Danville Artists’ Society, Art Guild of the Delta, Epperson Gallery in Crockett, Lamorinda Arts Council, Las Juntas-East Bay Artist Guild, Martinez Art Association and Visual Artists of Richmond.

Arts Contra Costa County (ARTSCCC) administers the grant program, with Independent Arts & Media as the fiscal sponsor. The Zellerbach Family Foundation, Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation and Contra Costa County provide funding.

According to ARTSCCC founding director Jenny Balisle, a survey found that 47% of art organizations in Contra Costa have annual budgets below $25,000.

“We are in the beginning stages of building an arts foundation,” Balisle said. “As we garner additional support for the arts community, ARTSCCC seeks to expand the District Arts Partner program.”

For more information, visit www.artsccc.com and www.concordartassociation.org.