Saida Maalin | Contributor
The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra was awarded a $19,000 Grant by the California Arts Council (CAC) on May 4.
The Arts Education Exposure Grant is provided by CAC to benefit student participation, support future concerts and help offset organization related expenses.
“We are thrilled with this opportunity,” said Dr. Anne Viricel, the Symphony’s Executive Director.
The goal of the Exposure Grant, is to allow funding to create an environment in which students can thrive in their communities.
“Experiences will offer deep cultural resonance with the student communities served and will be complemented by pre- and post-attendance activities, such as artist talkbacks, teaching artist workshops, and facility tours,” said Kim Brown of CAC.
This is the first year CAC has awarded over $30 million in grants to aid California’s art, culture, and gifted creatives to flourish. This represents a $5 million increase in grant funding when compared to the previous fiscal year.
“Organizations were awarded grants across 15 different program areas addressing access, equity, and inclusion; community vibrancy; arts learning and engagement; and directly benefiting our state’s communities, with youth, veterans, returned citizens, and California’s historically marginalized communities key among them,” said Brown.
Throughout California, 17 grant programs were awarded to schools, communities, public media, jump start programs, incarcerated adults who reenter the Arts, local organizations, Veterans, and the youth.
The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra was one of 140 grantees. Other Exposure grant recipients in the area include the Redlands Symphony Association who was awarded $20,000, and the Redlands Community Music Association Inc. received $19,000.
Although the grant will help fund San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra related expenses, it should be remembered due to COVID-19, future concerts and events may be postponed and/or rescheduled.
“Interested members of the public, artists, arts organizations, and community leaders are encouraged to visit the California Arts Council website to learn about future grant opportunities as details become available” said Brown.
