The Art of the City
Q&A with Shasta County Arts Council…
We asked Nancy Hill, Executive Director of the Shasta County Arts Council, a few questions about the non-profit which was established in 1981.
Enjoy: What are the Shasta County Arts Council’s mission and goals?
Hill: Education, Support and Practice. The Shasta County Arts Council curates classes and workshops for all ages and skill levels in many areas of artistic expression. We provide a platform for local professional and emerging artists to display and sell their work in our Old City Hall gallery and pop up shows throughout the year. We also act as a fiscal sponsor for arts start-ups on their way to becoming independent not-for- profit organizations. The Arts Council applies its belief in a community that creates together through the hosting of arts events, the push for public art, and the sharing of arts opportunities and affairs in weekly email newsletters.
Enjoy: What key programs does the Arts Council offer?
Hill: We curate a new gallery of visual arts works every month. We hold a yearly holiday boutique for local artists to sell their work. We participate in First Friday, and we host or sponsor dance, music and visual arts classes. We have also created arts coalitions, including theater, media and dance. Members can access our online musician database to hire a musician or a music teacher. We are also the organizing administrator for the Redding Cultural District.
Enjoy: How is the Arts Council funded?
Hill: We apply for national, regional and state grants, and as a partner with the California Arts Council, we receive a grant for operations to support our staff. We receive community sponsorships and donations, as well as a small percentage of fees from gallery sales. We rent out the space at Old City Hall, the home of the Arts Council. Our events generate ticket sales.
Enjoy: Share some examples of arts and cultural events organized by the Arts Council.
Hill: We support and collaborate with many of our Cultural District partners, as well as organizing our own events. Examples include Redding Roots Revival, First Fridays Downtown, annual Beer & Wine Festival, monthly gallery openings, musical concerts and many more.
Enjoy: How does the Arts Council’s unique setting contribute to its impact? Hill: Old City Hall is right in the heart of the Redding Cultural District which gives the Arts Council the opportunity to be involved in wonderful arts and cultural activities throughout the year. We are honored to be a partner and a part of the cultural district.
Enjoy: What role does the Arts Council play in promoting arts education and engagement, especially among youth?
Hill: For us, arts education includes drama, music, dance, spoken word, new media, visual arts and arts promotion. Recently, we facilitated videography workshops for Indigenous Youth called “Culture Quest.” For more than 20 years, we have conducted the Annual Juried High School Art Competition, which showcases about 14 high schools county-wide. For the last six years, we have been holding a middle school edition of the competition. Students have the opportunity to meet the juror artists, hear them speak about their professional experiences, the jurying process, and ask questions. For younger students, we facilitate winter and summer art camps that provide engaging and fun instruction in visual arts. We are also is in the beginning stages of a partnership with Shasta Office of Education and Shasta County Probation Department/Juvenile Hall to create classes, artist residencies and artists in schools programs. We are also working on the creation of artists/technical artists internship programs with community partners.
Enjoy: What volunteer opportunities are available?
Hill: We frequently have volunteer gallery docents and assistants installing exhibitions or receiving art for upcoming shows. Community members can volunteer to help set up and tear down audio, video, lighting, and seating for events, support craft services or box office, and even help with event promotion by distributing promotional materials. •
www.shastaartscouncil.org • 1313 Market St. • (530) 241-7320 Find them on YouTube, Public Access TV channel 181, Facebook and Instagram.
