April 11, 2025

In This Issue

• California Arts Council Grant Programs Open
• Warhol Foundation Offering Grants for Writers
• Muralist License Exemption Advances in Legislature
• Imagination Celebration
• Jorg Dubin Unveils New Sculpture

California Arts Council Opens

2025 Grant Opportunities 

The California Arts Council has launched its 2025 grant season, opening seven different funding opportunities for application submissions from eligible arts organizations now through June 5. The 2025 grant program offerings were developed in accordance with the priorities identified through the CAC’s Strategic Framework, among them, reaching historically and systemically underserved communities, including rural and inland areas. The CAC is also seeking to increase support for first-time grantees and small organizations through this year’s funding opportunities.

Read more here.

Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant Application Now Open

The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant supports emerging and established writers who write about contemporary visual art. Ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 in the categories of articles, books and short-form writing, the grants support projects addressing both general and specialized art audiences, from short reviews for magazines and newspapers to in-depth scholarly studies. The program also supports art writing that engages criticism through interdisciplinary methods and experiments with literary styles.

Read more here.

Bill Protecting Muralists Passes

Key Senate Committee Vote

SB 456 (Community Beautification Act) authored by Senator Angelique Ashby passed out of the State Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development on April 7, 2025 with a unanimous vote of 10-0. SB 456 creates a licensing exemption for muralists under the California business and professions code so they do not have to qualify as painting contractors when working on a mural for more than $500. Julie Baker with CA Arts Advocates made public comment as co-sponsor of SB 456 with the League of California Cities and on behalf of the 759 artists, associations, nonprofit arts organizations and creative businesses who signed on in support of this bill urging a yes vote to save California murals and protect jobs for artists in the state.  To learn more about CA Arts Advocates, click here.

Imagination Celebration Begins

Arts Orange County and the Orange County Department of Education have launched the 40^th Imagination Celebration, a county-wide family arts festival that runs April 12 through May 25. Imagination Celebration dynamically connects the community, arts organizations, universities, and Orange County students through meaningful arts experiences.

For information on Imagination Celebration events, visit SparkOC by clicking here.

Artist Jorg Dubin Debuts New Sculpture

in Laguna Beach

Jorg Dubin recently unveiled Tempest, his newest sculpture, at Laguna Beach’s newly renovated Surf & Sand Resort. It is located in the previous location of Water Wall by DeWain Valentine, which was installed in 1992.

Read more here.

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