Creative Sonoma Announces 2nd Year of Fellowship Grant Program

Creative Sonoma, in collaboration with Kimzin Creative, a local arts and equity consulting group, is announcing the second year of fellowship grants available for emerging to mid-career artists and culture workers who work within, on behalf of, or to support Sonoma County’s communities of color.

The Arts and Cultural Equity Fellowship Program (www.creativesonoma.org/ace-fellows/) exists to uplift and promote the artistic and economic advancement of six (6) arts and culture workers (Fellows) with funding, training, mentorship, and increased connection to the local arts and business communities. The application portal opens January 23, 2023 and the deadline for applications is March 6, 2023.

A 2017 study by the Helicon Collaborative found that despite a greater awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion issues in the nonprofit cultural sector, funding is getting less equitable and that the inequities are systemic. “This fellowship program helps develop new cadres of cultural leaders in our community, giving artistic voice to communities that have not always been heard,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “The program enriches our community and builds social cohesion through art and cultural activities.”

Program co-facilitator Nikko Kimzin added, “This program is meant to honor, celebrate, and create community around uplifting our local arts and culture workers as we invite them to bring their full selves to the table.”

The fellowship program will provide $5,000 in grant funding and an additional $1,250 training stipend to support cultural art works, activities, events, and professional development opportunities that promote and celebrate the diverse racial and ethnic individuals and communities within Sonoma County. Successful applicants will demonstrate potential impact on their creative careers and/or how that might advance communities of color and other traditionally marginalized communities. 

For more information, please contact Samantha Kimpel, Samantha.kimpel@sonoma-county.org. For a copy of the full report by the Helicon Collaborative, go to
http://www.notjustmoney.us/.

Creative Sonoma is a division of the Sonoma County Economic Development Board dedicated to supporting and advancing the creative community of Sonoma County. Please visit
www.CreativeSonoma.org for more information.

Samantha Kimpel