August 2, 2025

In This Issue

• Arvida Book Co. is Small Business of the Year
• New Chamber Music America Grant
• Laguna Playhouse Hires New Managing Director
• SCFTA Names VP of Development
• Samuel Nordrum New Annual Giving Manager of SCFTA
• Invitation to Member Mixer
• Arts Awards Tickets Now On Sale

Arvida Book Co. Named 73rd Assembly District Small Business of the Year 

Sam and Mike Robertson with their children receiving the 2025 Small Business of the Year resolution for the 73rd Assembly District from Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris.

California State Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris has recognized Tustin’s Arvida Book Co. as the 2025 Small Business of the Year for California's 73rd Assembly District. Founded in 2020 by Sam and Mike Robertson, Arvida Book Co. has grown from a small, curated shop into a vibrant cultural hub. More than just a bookstore, it's a welcoming space that fosters connection, creativity and a love of reading. From author events and poetry nights to book clubs and local artisan pop-ups, Arvida brings people together and uplifts diverse voices.

Read more here.

Chamber Music America Creates New Grant Program in Response to NEA Cuts 

Together with the Sewell Family Foundation, Chamber Music America announced temporary revisions to its hallmark grant program to provide emergency assistance to organizations and ensembles whose funding had been revoked due to National Endowment for the Arts grant rescissions. Renamed "Classical Commissioning: A Responsive Shift," the initiative allows CMA to provide critical general operating and programmatic support for the presentation of works by living American composers.

Read more here.

Adele Adkins Named New Laguna

Playhouse Managing Director 

After conducting an extensive nationwide search, Laguna Playhouse has brought on Adele Adkins as its new Managing Director. Adkins brings more than 25 years of experience to the Playhouse, having most recently served as Managing Director of Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania. She previously served as Executive Director of the Clark State Performing Arts Center in Ohio and Associate Director of the Collins Center for the Arts at the University of Maine.

Read more here.

Abigail Sherlock Named VP of Development at Segerstrom Center

Segerstrom Center for the Arts has announced the appointment of Abigail Sherlock as Vice President of Development. Sherlock brings over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry across New York City and Southern California. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at San Diego Theatres. Sherlock’s extensive Broadway experience includes leading marketing efforts for acclaimed productions such as To Kill A Mockingbird, King Lear, West Side Story and The Music Man.

To learn more about Segerstrom Center of the Arts, click here.

Segerstrom Center Announces Samuel Nordrum as New Annual Giving Manager

Samuel Nordrum has joined the team at Segerstrom Center for the Arts as their new Annual Giving Manager. He had previously served as Associate Director of Development at Concordia University for nearly three years. Nordrum is a violinist and conductor trained in both orchestral and choral music. He currently serves as a Resident Performing Artist at Concordia University and performs as a section violinist with orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout Southern California.

Member Mixer Invitation

ArtsOC will be holding a Summer Mixer for Members and Prospective Members on Wednesday, August 27. 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.

Tickets Now On Sale for the

25th Orange County Arts Awards!

Tickets are now available for the 25^th OC Arts Awards, which will be held on September 16 in the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. This celebratory event brings together the entire arts community for an uplifting evening that includes an honoree and sponsor reception and dinner, an awards ceremony and an after-party for all guests.

For a list of honorees and to purchase tickets, click here.

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