ADVOCATING FOR THE ARTSWe Create Arts Opportunities

We are working to inspire and enhance the lives of people in Ventura County by supporting local artists, hiring teaching artists, producing community public arts projects and ensuring our children have engaging and confidence-building art programs.

Learn MoreAbout Our Story

In 1982 the Ventura County Board of Supervisors established the Ventura County Arts Commission but was unable to implement its county-wide arts plan. In 1992, the Ventura County Community Foundation created an updated arts plan, which it was also unable to implement. Finally, in 1997 the Ventura County Arts Council was formed and incorporated as an independent 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization. Its charge was to serve all Ventura County residents with an array of arts programs. The Council was designated by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors as the local partner arts agency with a mandate to serve the county’s citizens in partnership with the California Arts Council.

Support

We rely on financial support from individuals and organizations who are passionate about supporting arts in our community.

Education

We provide arts education to elementary school students, to youth engaged in the juvenile justice system, and to adults through workshops.

Advocacy

We provide support and resources to local artists and teaching artists through grants, trainings, advocacy in the community.

Public Art

We offer the public a chance to enjoy the work of local artists who create murals, displays and other works of original art.

Last Year
We supported more than 25 teaching artists who taught art to over 3,000 children in Ventura County.

A public art display of work made by elementary school students hangs in the window of a commercial property in Ventura.

We are TransparentSee Our Financials

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We ValueDiversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Arts

We are committed to providing arts opportunities to a diverse group of people, and to culturally specific arts organizations, including those from marginalized communities. We continually strive to make our programs more inclusive and accessible to under-served groups.
We have a responsibility to represent the diversity of our county with respect to race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language and physical appearance. Our definition of diversity also includes diversity of thought: ideas, perspectives and values that inform artistic participation.

Where We AreServing Our Mission Around Town

A large art display hangs overhead in the Atrium Gallery.

Atrium Gallery

Our 3-floor exhibition space located in the Ventura County Government Center Hall of Administration.
Visitors view an exhibition at the Arts Collective.

Arts Collective

Home to compelling arts programming, exhibitions and special events in the Pacific View Mall.
Elementary students work on an art project with an Artists in the Classroom teacher.

In the Community

You'll find us in classrooms, community centers, and many other spaces across the county.

Learn more about the arts and artists in your community!

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Are you an Artist?

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