Long Beach, OC nonprofits, artists get state grants for 1-year collaboration

A group of artists and local nonprofitss have been selected to create works of art that reflect the Long Beach community — and address several key issues, such as climate change, civic engagement and social justice — with grants from the California Creative Corp.

The California Creative Corp, earlier this year, selected the Arts Council for Long Beach as one of 15 organizations statewide to help select awardees for a $60 million funding pot, according to a recent announcement. In total, the Arts Council will award $3.7 million to various artists and nonprofits in  Los Angeles and Orange counties — and, of course, Long Beach.

“This is an exciting step in the overall mission of this statewide pilot program,” Arts Council Executive Director Griselda Suarez said in a recent announcement. “The organizations and artists selected out of hundreds of applications represent new opportunities to bring the arts into portions of Los Angeles and Orange counties that represent the fabric of our communities and will benefit greatly from this year-long collaboration.”

The Arts Council selected 35 nonprofits and artists, who will collaborate on their projects throughout the one-year pilot, including:

• Melissa Letitia Moore and Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach.
• Nicole Rademacher and Care Closet LBC.
• Angela Willcocks and the L.A. River Public Art Project.
• Larry Stokes and Loiter Galleries.
• Nina Sarnelle and Long Beach Forward.
• Deborah Brockus and Long Beach Fresh.
• Trinh Mai and Khmer Girls in Action.
• Amy Bauer and The Jewel Box Children’s Theatre Company.
• Cory Bilicko and United Cambodian Community.
• Tiffany Le and VietRISE, in Orange County.
• Lauren Nicole Nunez and LibroMobile Arts Cooperative/Crear Studio, also in Orange County.

The Arts Council will award about $3.7 million total to the grantees, the organization said in its Aug. 4 announcement. Each nonprofit will get $30,000 to support the project, while the artists themselves will get $50,000 for living expenses and other fees — along with $25,000 to pay for project supplies and materials, and professional development guidance from the Arts Council.