Every month, the Arts Council funds wonderful community art projects and professional development opportunities at up to $1,000. Here are the four diverse projects that received funding last month:

• Camerata Kinder Konzert is an interactive children’s program put on by the Long Beach Camerata Singers. The program is designed to educate children about composers, musical forms, music history and vocal music. Though the program is intended for children ages 3 to 8 years old, audience members of all ages will sing, conduct and be part of the drama while professional singers, instrumentalists and storytellers bring a tale of a young boy to life in the 45-minute free concert. The concert takes place on Sunday, April 17 at 3 p.m. at the California Heights Methodist Church.
• Katherine Fohrman is an art therapist at Arts & Services for Disabled (ASD). This professional development grant will help her attend the American Art Therapy Association annual conference. She plans to use what she learns at the conference to enrich the programs at ASD in addition to the mobile arts program for clients not able to attend programs at ASD.
• Squeeze Art Collective is hosting a one-day group art show at The Green Prize Festival on Saturday April 30, 2016, from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach)! Sea Change See Change is a way for local artists and makers to showcase their art and craft while networking with local business owners and supporters of the environment around Long Beach. Artists are asked to collect litter from the beach and turn it into a piece of art to display at the festival.
The California Repertory Company is sending three students from its MBA/MFA program in Theatre Arts Management at California State University, Long Beach to the Theatre Communications Group National Conference. At the conference managers will have the opportunity to participate in conversations about diversity and inclusion, engagement of students and outreach to the community.

Microgrants are due on the 15th of every month. The Arts Council recently revised microgrant guidelines to streamline the process and make it easier to apply and receive funding. For more information on the Arts Council’s microgrant program and other grants, please visit www.artslb.org/services/grants.