With support from the California Arts Council, the Gala Pride and Diversity Center (GPDC) will sustain and expand our community-centered arts and cultural programming that uplifts LGBTQ+ artists, preserves local queer cultural expression, and increases access to creative opportunities across California’s Central Coast. The financial support from the grant will strengthen GPDC’s capacity to provide free and low-cost arts programming, public cultural events, artist development opportunities, and community storytelling initiatives that center historically underserved communities. This funding will support three goals for this year:

*Expand access to LGBTQ+ arts and cultural programming in San Luis Obispo County through public events, performances and workshops;
*Strengthen professional development opportunities for LGBTQ+ and allied artists to grow their practice and show their work locally; and
*Sustain GPDC’s long-term organizational infrastructure by investing staffing, operational capacity and accessibility.