The Program
The California Creative Corps, was developed by the California Arts Council in partnership with the State legislature. California Creative Corps is a 4.2 million dollar economic and workforce recovery pilot program intended to support pandemic recovery and the environmental, civic and social engagement of California’s most disproportionately impacted communities. Using a variety of art forms, including visual, performing, and traditional arts, artists will advance positive community outcomes by creating locally focused, contextually and culturally sensitive public messaging and work.
As the Administering Organization for the three counties, United Way of Merced County will regrant funds to arts and social service organizations and to individual artists and cultural workers throughout Merced, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties.
The Heartland Creative Corps represents an unprecedented collaboration between County-designated arts agencies from all three counties. The arts agencies will work cooperatively to support program administration and serve as primary partners, service providers and communication conduits in their respective geographies.
Our Partners
The Merced County Arts Council’s mission is to nurture and inspire the arts and artists in Merced County by cultivating a place for creative discovery, community, and dialogue. We strive to show the community that art is around us all the time, and can be experienced in anything and everything.
Incorporated in 1978, the Merced County Arts Council was originally operated from a small office space on Main Street. In 1996, the City of Merced entrusted the Arts Council to manage the Merced In addition to operating this 28,000 sq. foot, multipurpose arts center, the Arts Council manages an arts-in-education program; an arts facility for adults with developmental disabilities; performances and visual/performing arts classes for children and adults; professional support for artists through fiscal sponsorship; exhibits year-round in the four galleries; and newfound coalitions for visual and performing artists.
Merced County Arts Council
Stanislaus Arts Council
The Stanislaus Arts Council supports, promotes, and advocates for artists and creative endeavors of all forms that provide essential cultural opportunities for our community in Stanislaus County. Through education, exhibition, financial support, and the recognition of artistic excellence we will endeavor to create a vibrant cultural presence for the people of Stanislaus County.
Originally formed in the late 1940's the Central California Art League began as an artist's co-op, eventually taking residence in a gallery space in Downtown Modesto in the early 2000's. The Stanislaus Arts Council has existed in some form or another since the late 1970's, and has recently reformed as a part of the CCAL in 2019 after a brief hiatus of operations.
Throughout its rich history, the Stanislaus Arts Council has worked hard to support the Arts in Stanislaus County and the surrounding areas. Invigorated with new members and community support, the arts council will be representative of the artists and arts organizations that make Stanislaus County a special place for creativity in the Central Valley.
Tuolumne County Arts
TCA’s history of serving Tuolumne County first began as an idea from gatherings in 1970 that were hosted by renowned musician, conductor and supporter of the arts, Carl Anton Wirth.
Originally known as Central Sierra Arts Council, we became a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization in 1978. Tuolumne County Arts endeavors to inform, educate, entertain, and provide enjoyment and enrichment for our constituents: residents, visitors, students, seniors, and all those who value the benefit of the arts, and who know that we can achieve a more vital and resilient community through the arts.
Our partnership with the California Arts Council, a state agency is in the form of the SLP (State and Local Partnership) grant. Because of that partnership, TCA is designated as Tuolumne County’s mandated Public Arts Agency. The goal of which is to provide a continuing Arts presence in order to strengthen our local economy, and enrich lives through the arts.
Our Mission:
Bringing arts accessibility and arts education to Tuolumne County artists, students, residents, and visitors!