Take part in a month of free events, resources and advocacy opportunities across the state, led by Californians for the Arts and thousands of audience members and arts practitioners who know the impact arts make in our communities!
Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM) was launched in 2019 by Californians for the Arts in order to establish and advocate for the essential role arts play in our daily lives, with critical contributions to health, education, housing, climate, youth development and the economy. This year’s theme is #JoyActionPower, and there are tons of ways to get involved!
The 4th annual CA Arts & Culture Summit is Sunday April 19 & 20. The event is open to any registered guest, from artists and advocates to students, but ticket prices increase April 6, so learn more and register today!
Arts Advocacy Day at the Capitol is FREE on April 21. The day features a press rally, meetings with elected officials, and promotion of statewide arts investment, including through the CAC “50 in 50” campaign. Learn More!
Check out more events and offerings from Californians for the Arts below!
Learn how to apply for state arts funding! Join the California Arts Council (CAC) on Friday, April 3, at 5:30 pm at the Finley Center in Santa Rosa for a free grants workshop.
CAC Arts Program Specialists will provide an overview of their grant programs for 2026, sharing tips and insights into the state grant process, and guiding prospective applicants in best practices for crafting a successful application. Register and learn about the 2026 grant opportunities below.
A reminder of the upcoming four FREE professional development workshops open to the public with the first starting April 16! All workshops are held at Sebastopol Center for the Arts:
SIFF Has Wrapped, but Sonoma County’s Film Season Is Just Getting Started!
The Sonoma International Film Festival may have just wrapped its 2026 run, but if you’re already missing the buzz of screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and a popcorn-packed calendar, good news — Sonoma County’s film offerings are far from over! SIFF’s five-day celebration of film, food, and wine drew filmmakers and audiences from around the world, but these upcoming events are incredible in their own right:
Sonoma County Student Film Festival: April 3
Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival: April 9–12
Film Fest Petaluma: May 2
True West Film Festival: June 24–28
From documentaries to shorts to new independent works, there are plenty more opportunities this season to gather, watch, and connect around great storytelling.
For information on the full Sonoma County film festival lineup and ways to plug in, read more on our monthly “Arts at Work” Blog!
Our Conversation with Sonoma County Fire Memorial Artist Cliff Garten
On Monday, March 30, Creative Sonoma hosted a virtual conversation with community members and internationally recognized landscape artist and sculptor Cliff Garten, who has been selected to design the Sonoma County Fire Memorial. Cliff shared highlights from his body of work and discussed his approach to creating memorials and public art. Watch back a recording of the conversationHERE.
Community members who wish to be involved in additional community engagement opportunities, including focus groups, further community meetings and an upcoming survey, may leave their information in the bilingual form below to stay informed!
On April 8 via Zoom, education leaders from Sonoma County arts organizations are invited to gather and discuss YOUR ideas and situations in YOUR arts education work. Topics can include: programming, scheduling, staffing, funding, etc. Bring your questions, share your victories and challenges, and develop YOUR network of other professionals in the field.
From our Creative Calendar: Through April 4, 10 Sonoma County Museums are participating in Museum Member Week Swap! Have a membership at a participating Museum? Visit any of the other museums for FREE. A great way to explore other museums, or get a membership now!
Calling all #California District 4 high schoolers! The 2026 Congressional Art Competition is now open! Submit your artwork for an opportunity to have your work displayed in the halls of the Capitol. Students must complete the online registration form by Friday, April 10.
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