The Arts Council for Long Beach is proud to announce 32 grantees funded through its Annual Grant programs for Fiscal Year 2022. Generously supported through the City of Long Beach’s allocation for the arts, Percent for Arts Program and the National Endowment for the Arts, these artists and organizations represent the diversity and vibrancy of our city. The grant categories included: Community Project Grants, Professional Artist Fellowships and Operating Grants. The additional funding from the National Endowment for the Arts has allowed the Arts Council to fund an additional $20,000 in grants to artists and arts organizations in Long Beach.
The Professional Artist Fellowships recognize Long Beach artists who live, work or actively create in Long Beach and demonstrate an exhibition or production record of at least three years. Awards are granted based on artistic merit and professional achievement. The 2022 fellows are: Jamil Austin, Ja’net Danielo, Betsy Lohrer Hall, Vannia Ibarguen, Pamela K. Johnson, Cody Lusby, Trinh Mai, Elizabeth Munzon, Elyse Pignolet and Katie Elizabeth Stubblefield. Arts Fellows will be honored with a year-long exhibition at the new Billie Jean King Main Library opening this summer.
The Community Project Grant program funds innovative programming and cultural projects that serve our communities. The following 19 organizations are awarded: Act Out Thearte Company; Cambodia Town, Inc; Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Arts Museum; Carpenter Performing Arts Center; Dreamkreator Studio, Inc; The Garage Theatre; Infinite Stage; The Jazz Angels; Kontrapunktus; Literary Women of Long Beach; Loiter Galleries; Long Beach Blues Society; Long Beach Community Band; Long Beach Youth Chorus; LGBTQ Center of Long Beach; The Rock Club – Music is the Remedy; South Coast Chorale; South Coast Dance Arts Alliance; and Up & Coming Actors. These organizations not only present rich programming but also provide free events for the public.
Operating Grants provide unrestricted support to arts and cultural organizations that collect, preserve, present or commission exemplary works of art (e.g. visual art exhibitions, theatre, dance or musical performances). This year, the Arts Council awarded the following organizations: Able ARTS Work; Art Theatre of Long Beach; and Historical Society of Long Beach. It is important for us to continue to offer this kind of support since there are a limited number of foundations that provide operational funds. Many of our grantees use these funds to offset costs for educational and community programs.
Executive Director Griselda Suárez said, “As a local arts agency and funder, our grants nurture and enliven the arts throughout the city. We are glad to see a wide variety of expressions and cultural work being funded this year. I look forward to working with the city to continue building a robust arts and culture grant program as we all work to recover together.”
President Sayon Syprasoeuth stated, “We are excited to support these organizations and the artists that have continued to create with the challenges of the pandemic, but also uplift diverse voices in our amazing community.”
For more information about the Arts Council’s grant programs visit artslb.org/programs/grants/.