About Arts Council for Long Beach

Vision

The Arts Council for Long Beach envisions a thriving Long Beach that benefits from universal participation in the arts.

History

Arts Council for Long Beach, also know as ACLB and ArtsLB, was founded by the City of Long Beach in 1976 as the Public Corporation for the Arts, becoming a 501(c)(3) organization in 1982.

ACLB is a dynamic organization that receives and distributes public funds, and also raises funds through private donations, foundations, corporations, and contracts for services.

Mission

The Arts Council for Long Beach cultivates the physical, social, and economic characteristics of Long Beach neighborhoods by nurturing and enlivening the arts. 

We serve individuals, groups, and organizations through advocacy, arts education, public art, and grant making within the City of Long Beach.

We practice profound inclusion as a collaborator and convener for the benefit of all communities.

Values

  • Equitable
  • Collaborative
  • Belonging
  • Inclusive
  • Diverse
  • Educational

Goals

ACLB strives to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors of the City of Long Beach through the cultivation of the arts by:

 

  • Promoting artists living in Long Beach
  • Uplifting communities to engage in arts and culture
  • Building connections between artists and audiences
  • Leading discussions about the role of arts in the community
  • Implementing outstanding arts education programs
  • Cultivating unique opportunities for art to be shown and appreciated
  • Advocating for the arts sector in city, county, state and federal levels
  • Rewarding excellence in the arts through our annual and monthly grant programs
  • Transforming Long Beach through public art
Griselda Suárez

Griselda Suárez

Executive Director

“As an arts community, we are at a very exciting place. We have built an amazing relationship with the city. We’re really at a place where we can begin to show the strength we have in the arts and in the creative economy we have here in Long Beach.” – Griselda Suárez

Meet Our Staff

ArtsLB Staff listed alphabetically by last name

Kristie Bailey

Public Art Associate

Jude De Luna

Projects Associate

Lisa DeSmidt

Director of Programs

Sergio Alan Diaz

Programs Associate

Judy Estrada

Communications Manager

Jeanne Evangelista

Public Art Associate

Keith Lewis

Communications Associate

Laura Nelson

Operations Manager

Betty Rosen

Lead Teaching Artist

Anthony Smyers

Executive Associate

Daniel Villa

Assistant Teaching Artist

For general inquiries email: info@artslb.org

For grant inquiries, email grants@artslb.org or send text message to 562-204-6948

For public art inquiries email: publicart@artslb.org

For arts learning inquiries email: artslearning@artslb.org

For marketing or calendar inquiries email: marketing@artslb.org

 

Board of Directors 2024 - 2025

Elaine Bernal

Elaine Bernal

Secretary

Karen Byrnes

Karen Byrnes

Board Member

Violet Brown

Violet Brown

Board Member

Alma Castro

Alma Castro

Board Member

Marc Davidson

Marc Davidson

Vice President

Jennifer Drolet

Jennifer Drolet

Member at Large

David Espinoza

David Espinoza

Board Member

Cristina Espiritu

Cristina Espiritu

Treasurer

Amanda Fruta

Amanda Fruta

Board Member

Janét Hund

Janét Hund

Board Member

Michael Kennedy

Michael Kennedy

Board Member

Jennifer Kumiyama

Jennifer Kumiyama

Board Member

Anne Lattime

Anne Lattime

President

Holly Leveque

Holly Leveque

Board Member

Jay Majithia

Jay Majithia

Board Member

Maureen McGlynn

Maureen McGlynn

Board Member

Jayro Sandoval

Jayro Sandoval

Board Member

Job Openings

The Arts Council for Long Beach is currently hiring Public Art Associates, for more information please review this job posting.

Please visit our Jobs & Internships page for local opportunities in the arts.

Have questions about the Arts Council?

Please visit our contact page, email us at info@artslb.org, or call us at 562.435.ARTS (2787).

The Arts Council for Long Beach offices are located at 115 Pine Avenue, Suite 350, Long Beach, CA 90802.