7 Long Beach Nonprofits Awarded $214K In County Arts Grants

LONG BEACH, CA — Seven Long Beach nonprofits have been awarded $214,200 in county grants to support arts initiatives, the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture announced Friday.

The grants are among the $6.4 million awarded to 318 nonprofits countywide as part of the Organizational Grant and Community Impact Arts Grant programs. It's a larger pot of money than usual: The Board of Supervisors increased Organizational Grant funding by $1.2 million, the first increase in over 15 years, according to officials.

That program helps support the critical needs of arts nonprofits, including staffing and programming. Grantees also get access to county professional development opportunities and scholarships for training and conferences.

County officials say the grants are meant to address systemic inequity in arts funding: 94 percent of grantees have budgets under $5 million. Half of those have budgets under $200,000.

"These organizations are often underfunded and include those that reflect and serve communities of color, historically marginalized, and rural communities," according to the Arts and Culture department.

The Community Impact Arts Grant program, meantime, supports arts-based programs from social justice and service organizations.

"CIAG was designed to address two priorities: making arts services available to LA County residents who might not experience them through traditional arts venues and outlets, and encouraging integration of the arts in cross-sector work at local nonprofits," according to the department.

Applicants for both grants were supported by the county with workshops and technical assistance. Their applications were then reviewed by a combined total of 105 peer panelists from the arts sector. Award recommendations were then reviewed by the Arts Commission, an advisory body appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

Here’s the complete list of Long Beach grantees, with grant-use information provided by the county:

Musica Angelica

$28,200 to support the ongoing production of historically informed performance from the Classical and Baroque eras.

$45,400 to support annual mainstage shows and educational programs.

Pony Box Dance Theatre

$16,100 to support the salary for an Executive Director.

The Art Theatre of Long Beach

$24,100 to support the Film and Speakers Series, a monthly screening of unique films followed

by panel discussion.

$17,400 to support administrative and staff salaries.

Arts and Services for Disabled, Inc.

$51,900 to support Able ARTS Work’s exhibits for client artists with disabilities and to support art instruction in schools and community settings for at-risk youth and adults with and without disabilities.

Camerata Singers of Long Beach

$31,100 to support the Peace Project, which opens each season with a social-justice themed

concert paired with a community-building pre-concert event.