Special Projects
Creative Sonoma leverages funding and opportunities to partner throughout Sonoma County to integrate the arts in meaningful ways and support next generations of impactful art. Learn more about each of these projects and how creatives grow their work that impacts and uplifts our entire community.
District 5 Community Public Art Projects 2025
With support from Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins through community infrastructure funding, the intent of this program was to demonstrate the power of the arts to contribute to the social cohesion of our communities through beautification of downtown areas or neighborhoods. Nineteen organizations were awarded a total of $126,580 for community-based public art projects in unincorporated locations of West County.
Click HERE to learn more about these public art projects.
ArtSurround Program 2022
With funding from the Hewlett Foundation and multiple local partners, Creative Sonoma initiated a creative placemaking training and grant program. Twenty-seven artists received grants to create work, in a variety of disciplines, for fourteen community partners (advocates) that provided public sites.
Click HERE to learn more and discover the artists, their projects, and their partnering advocates. (Artwork to the left is by ArtSurround Artist, Susan Bercu.)
Poetry Out Loud
With funding from the National Endowment of the Arts via the California Arts Council, Creative Sonoma supports Sonoma County’s participation in the national program, Poetry Out Loud. High school students from throughout the county participate in recitation competitions on the county, state, and national levels.
Click HERE to learn more about the program, occurring annually.
Sonoma Sound 2021
With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Art Works Program, and matched by Sonoma County Tourism (SCT), Creative Sonoma collaborated with SCT to launch a recording project titled Sonoma Sound. Local musicians were hired to record an original background track that Tourism will use for promotional videos.
Click HERE to learn more, watch the “Making Of” video, and listen to the track!
Creative ReOpening 2020-2021
With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Program, and matched by the County of Sonoma and the Manitou Fund, Creative Sonoma awarded contracts to six local Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations to incorporate artwork into business district plans for remaining open (or reopening) and staying safe during COVID-19 restrictions.
Click HERE to learn more and watch project videos!