March 13, 2025

In This Issue

• NEA Halts Action on Executive Orders
• Artist Opportunities
• New VP of Education for Pacific Symphony
• Exhibit Opens at Airport 
• Member Mixer on March 20

NEA Halts Enforcement of Executive Orders and Extends Deadline

The National Endowment for the Arts announced that while litigation continues they will not require applicants to certify compliance with Executive Order 14168, which required applicants to certify they would not "promote gender ideology." They recently paused the certification requirement around a DEI-related executive order, also due to legal action. The NEA has updated its Assurance of Compliance to reflect these decisions. They are also extending the submission deadline for the Grants for Arts Projects funding from March 24 to April 7, 2025.

Read the NEA Assurance of Compliance here.

Creative Capital Opportunities for

April and May 2025

Creative Capital is welcoming the spring with new artist opportunities. From housing and studio space grants to film fellowships, multiple opportunities in the form of grants, residencies and more are listed. Please note that some are specific to certain geographic areas.

Read more here.

Pacific Symphony Names New Vice President of Education and Community Engagement

Pacific Symphony has named Ameena Maria Khawaja as Vice President of Education and Community Engagement. Since 2020, Ameena has served as Executive Director of El Sistema USA/Salinas (Youth Orchestra Salinas), where she transformed the organization through visionary leadership. Under her guidance, YOSAL expanded its reach by building partnerships with new school districts, local governments and community organizations. As a cellist and mezzo-soprano, Ameena has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and events, including the Grammy Awards, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Hollywood Bowl.

Read more here.

Heritage Museum of Orange County Exhibit Opens at John Wayne Airport

Pictured left to right: John Wayne Airport Executive Director Charlene Reynolds, a Heritage Museum docent, the Fertilizer King mascot, another Heritage Museum docent, John Wayne Airport Arts Commission Chair and ArtsOC board member Kim Le, and ArtsOC Advancement Officer Karen Ahola. 

A press event was held on March 5 at John Wayne Airport for the opening of the Heritage Museum of Orange County’s new exhibit, which celebrates the one hundred year anniversary of Kellogg Garden Products. This special showcase is located in the pre-security public area on the upper level pedestrian bridge connecting Terminals B and C, and is open to the public through June 2. Visitors are also allowed into the secure area of the airport, where other art curated by the Airport Arts Commission is exhibited, through the OC Airpass.

Read more about the John Wayne Arts Commission here.

Read more about the OC Airpass here.

Upcoming Member Mixer

ArtsOC will be holding a Spring Mixer for Members and Prospective Members on Thursday, March 20. The event will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Orange County Music and Dance building, located at 17620 Fitch Ave, Irvine 92614. Connect with arts colleagues from throughout the county!

To RSVP, please email Karen Ahola at kahola@artsoc.org.

We acknowledge with respect our presence on the ancestral lands of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians - Acjachemen Nation and the Tongva People.