MERCED COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL INC

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Programs
Arts in California Parks

Arts in California Parks helps to nourish, educate, and inspire individuals and communities.

Arts in Corrections

A partnership with the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, designed to have a positive impact on the social and emotional well-being of people experiencing incarceration. www.artsincorrections.org

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A media, outreach, and engagement pilot program designed to support communities statewide following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Creative Economy of California

Building a resilient future for California’s creative economy.

California Cultural Districts

Highlighting some of the thriving cultural diversity and unique artistic identities within local communities across the state. www.caculturaldistricts.org

Poetry Out Loud

Igniting student potential through the power of poetry. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, administered statewide by the California Arts Council. www.capoetryoutloud.org

California Poet Laureate

The Governor’s advocate for the art of poetry. Visit www.capoetlaureate.org.

California Teen Poet Laureate

COMING SOON: State legislation supports the development of the state’s first Youth Poet Laureate program.

Individual Artists Fellowship

Through a network of regionally based Administering Organizations, the Individual Artists Fellowship program will continue to recognize, uplift, and celebrate the excellence of California artists practicing any art form.
About
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Grantee Database

Grant Year

2026-27

Grant Program

State-Local Partnership

Award Amount

$75,000.00

Project Description

With support from the California Arts Council, MERCED COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL INC, will sustain and expand public exhibitions, cultural programs, and free or low-cost events that reflect Merced County’s diversity and broaden access to the arts. CAC funds will support exhibits showcasing advanced high school art students, local artists, and a retrospective celebrating our 30th anniversary as an arts center. We’ll continue free programs like our monthly Kids & Family Days, where families participate together in hands-on cultural arts activities, and grow culturally specific programs such as the Lao Arts & Culture Summer Camp. Operating support will strengthen our role as the countywide hub for artists, arts organizations, and cultural groups, enhancing collaboration, resource-sharing, and technical assistance so that residents in urban and rural communities alike can create, experience, and benefit from the arts.

Organization Summary

Incorporated in 1978, the Merced County Arts Council was operated originally from a small office space on Main Street. In 1996, the City of Merced entrusted the Arts Council to manage the Merced Multicultural Arts Center. In addition to operating this 28,000 sq. foot, multipurpose arts center, the Arts Council manages an arts-in-education program; an arts facility for adults with developmental disabilities; performances and visual/performing arts classes for children and adults; professional support for artists through fiscal sponsorship; exhibits of about 20 professional artists each year; and newfound coalitions for visual and performing artists.

The Multicultural Arts Center, lovingly known as the MAC, has been the arts and cultural hub of Merced since its opening in 1997. Managed by the Merced County Arts Council, the MAC is home to:

The Enrichment Center, a day program for artists with disabilities
The Arbor Gallery, a co-op of local artists
The Merced Academy of Dance
The Bear Creek Ukulele Society
Local theater groups
LGBTQ+ groups
Local artists and so much more.

The MAC offers a wide variety of classroom, conference, and general meeting spaces to meet all of your creative, personal, and professional facility needs as well as four art galleries, a black box theater, and a serving kitchen. The Multicultural Arts Center is truly a multi-use facility that can handle almost any event.

Organization