16TH ANNUAL ORANGE COUNTY ARTS AWARDS - OCTOBER 14, 2015

Santa Ana Unveils Sculpture by Richard Turner Commemorating Japanese-American Farm Legacy

On July 11, a sculpture was unveiled at the corner of Flower Street and Sunflower Avenue in Santa Ana, marking the bicycle trail entry into the City of Santa Ana from the City of Costa Mesa trail. The work, titled "We Too Were Once Strangers," was created by artist Richard Turner, and was chosen through a competitive art selection process managed for the City by Arts Orange County. It showcases a signature crop that was commonly grown in this area by Japanese-American farmers, including the land where it stands--the previous Sakioka Farms. It also symbolizes the beauty and simple legacy style of Japanese gardens. The project was funded by a Recreational Trails and Transportation Enhancement Activity grant the City obtained to build the one-mile dedicated bike trail on Flower Street.

"This is a great project for the community. Adding one-mile to our bike trail system and a beautiful public art sculpture that reminds all of us of the rich legacy of the Japanese American farming community that contributed so much to this special area of our City." said Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Vince Sarmiento.

Pictured above at the unveiling are (from left): Mayor Pro Tem Sarmiento, First District Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do and Fifth District Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett--the first Japanese-American ever elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

City of Mission Viejo to Create a Cultural Arts Master Plan: Arts Orange County Selected as Consultant

The City of Mission Viejo has called upon Arts Orange County to serve as its consultant on the preparation of a Cultural Arts Master Plan for the community. The plan will invite input from Mission Viejo residents, cultural organizations and arts programs serving that community, and other key stakeholders during the six month process. It will catalog the City's cultural assets, collect and compile all existing City codes and policies affecting the arts, and make recommendations for opportunities to further enable arts and culture to flourish in Mission Viejo.

OC Women's Chorus on First International Tour

The Orange County Women's Chorus is now traveling on its first international tour to England and Wales, culminating in its participation in the International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. It will be representing Orange County in two categories, competing on July 10 in Folk Choirs and July 11 in Female Choirs. The chorus is pictured above performing at Great St. Mary's in Cambridge, England.

RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS & ARTS ORGANIZATIONS - ArtsOC.org

ARTS & CULTURAL EVENTS + CALLS FOR ARTISTS + AUDITIONS + JOBS + CLASSES + VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - SparkOC.com

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Tips on Being an Artist Prepared for Emergencies

CERF+, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund | Artists' Emergency Resources, has launched their first-ever crowdfunding campaign for their "At the Ready Fund", dedicated to providing fast relief and support to artists who suffer personal or large-scale disasters that affect their livelihoods. All donations will be augmented by a matching gift, and such funds could serve as a model for arts communities to create their own. Click here to learn more and view their video, which features testimonials from artists helped by CERF+ in the past.

You can subscribe to their Tip of the Month at the Studio Protector Blog.

ArtsOC's participation in the Southern California Arts Responder Network is supported through a grant from:

Dale Merrill Named Dean of Cal State Fullerton College of the Arts

Previously dean of Chapman University's College of Performing Arts, Merrill was instrumental in forming the college and served as its first associate dean. He was actively involved in the accreditation process for its programs in art, dance, music and theater during the eight years since the college's formation. He succeeds Jim Taulli, professor of theatre and dance, who has been serving as acting dean since the August 2014 retirement of Joe Arnold, now emeritus dean of the College of the Arts. Merrill, who has more than 20 years of choreographic credits, earned a B.F.A. in ballet from the University of Utah and an M.F.A. in dance from the University of Washington. Before moving to Southern California, Merrill was the artistic director of Spectrum Dance Theater, a dance company and nonprofit community arts organization in Seattle.

Two National Arts Marketing Conferences this Fall in the West

The National Arts Marketing, Development and Ticketing Conference, October 22-24, 2015, in San Francisco and the National Arts Marketing Project Conference, November 6-9, in Salt Lake City, offer the opportunity for arts organizations to learn the latest trends and sharpen their skills this fall.

Arts Orange County is the leader in building appreciation of, participation in and support for the arts and arts education throughout Orange County.

It is a powerhouse in advancing Orange County's arts ecology, a trailblazer in advocating workforce development through arts education, a leader in building future audiences and a trendsetter in the world of nonprofit arts councils.

Arts Orange County, 3730 South Susan Street, Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92704