Santa Rosa's Imaginists Awarded California Arts Council Local Impact Grant

In June, the

Local Impact supports community-driven arts projects for small and mid-sized arts organizations to foster equity, access, and opportunity in historically marginalized communities by centering the arts as a vehicle for building strong, healthy, vibrant, and resilient communities. Historically marginalized communities may include but are not limited to African and African American; Arab; Asian and Asian American; Latinx; Middle Eastern; Native American and Indigenous Californian; Pacific Islander; lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender-variant people; people with disabilities; women; low-income, rural, or immigrant and refugee communities.

The grant will support the Imaginists’ 11th annual, free, bicycle-powered tour to city parks throughout Santa Rosa.

This year’s show, PEACE (The Redacted Version), is inspired by Aristophanes’ classic comedy Peace, and touches on current events and timeless truths. The shows, performed in Spanish and English by an intergenerational ensemble of professional, emerging, and community artists, are for all ages.

“We’re honored to be chosen for the California Arts Council Local Impact award,” says Imaginists’ Artistic Director, Amy Pinto. “This funding is critical to the survival of our annual El show el arte es medicina/ The Art is Medicine Show, which is a cornerstone of our programming and the one in which our most radical “re-thinking theater” theory is put into practice. El show el arte es medicina takes theater out of the theater and to our community free of charge. It also invites participation from community members, and local high school students through our paid summer internship program.”

The Imaginists is one of 190 grantees chosen for the Local Impact program. The award was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council, with grant funds totaling a projected $24,508,541 for 2018-19, the highest investment in statewide arts programming since the 2000-01 fiscal year.

“Arts and culture are inextricably linked to our humanity,” said Nashormeh Lindo, California Arts Council Chair. “They serve as a universal touchpoint for understanding and addressing our societal issues—dismantling inequity, healing trauma, reframing justice, inspiring truth and shaping futures. The Council is humbled to support the vital work of the Imaginists and its passionate efforts to make a better California for us all.”

To view a complete listing of all Local Impact grantees, visit

http://arts.ca.gov/programs/program_files/1819/CurrentGrantees/FY18-19_Project_Descriptions_LI.pdf

The Imaginists is a theater company based in Santa Rosa, CA. They completely re-think theater; who participates, where it happens and what it is. The Imaginists honor the power of live performance to create vital spaces for participation, imagination, and freedom. For more information about the Imaginists’ programming and details of the summer tour visit www.theimaginists.org

The mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California's diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services.

Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Nashormeh Lindo, Vice Chair Larry Baza, Juan Devis, Jodie Evans, Kathleen Gallegos, Jaime Galli, Donn K. Harris, and Louise McGuinness. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.