Mission
The Cultural Affairs Division’s mission is to:
- Promote broad community awareness of, access to, and education in the arts and the city’s historic resources in Ventura
- Provide opportunities and support to Ventura artists and arts organizations
- Foster cross-cultural understanding
- Support economic development and tourism, especially in the downtown core.
The Cultural Affairs Division (CAD) is overseen by the Cultural Affairs Commission, a body of seven that advises the Council on cultural matters. The Commission was created in 1994. Members of the Commission are appointed directly by City Council. The Public Art Commission, made up of seven members, advises the Council on matters pertaining to public art.
The Arts have a positive impact on all aspects of our community, whether in the area of student achievement, public safety, economic prosperity or civic engagement. Read more about the Public Value of the Arts.
Read the City of Ventura's Cultural Plan
Programs
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Art Tales
A Unique Contest
for Creative Writers
Grade 4 - Adult
The City of Ventura is pleased to sponsor, in partnership with E.P. Foster Library, a creative contest for local writers. The competition invites writers to submit an original short story or poem that was inspired by one of the Municipal Art Collection works of art currently on exhibit on the second floor of the E.P. Foster Library in downtown Ventura.
In an effort to make the City’s art collection more accessible to the community, the City of Ventura joined with E.P. Foster Library to provide an exhibit space for a limited number of works, which are rotated annually. Each piece in this year’s assortment of artwork includes a quality of mystery, challenging the viewer to puzzle over the work’s meaning and providing an excellent opportunity for students and adults alike to enhance their written skills while learning about viewing works of art. This contest is a call for imaginative and inventive people to examine a work of art and then write a short story or poem reflecting their unique interpretation.
Entry Deadline: December 13, 2008
Please click here to download the Art Tales Brochure and Application.
Working Artist Ventura (WAV)
The Working Artists Ventura (WAV) project will be a $57 million, state-of-the-art community designed for artists and creative businesses. Located in the cultural district of downtown Ventura, California, the WAV will offer affordable living and working space for over a hundred artists of every kind; painters, sculptors, dancers, poets, musicians, filmmakers and more.
More information
Classes and Educational Outreach
Children's Celebration of the Arts Educational Outreach
Professional artists visit classrooms during the school day and conduct a variety of workshops highlighting the art forms of world cultures. In past years this program has reached approximately 68,000 elementary school students.Cowboys, Heroes & Outlaws
A unique cultural event for the entire family designed to stimulate interest in and to preserve American Cowboy Western heritage. Presented at the historic rancho era Olivas Adobe in Ventura, the event has four components: cultural workshops and demonstrations; period entertainment; interpreters as historic figures; and a "cowboy college".
More information
Cultural Classes
The CAD provides a range of classes in the visual, performing, and literary arts, aimed at adults, children, and senior populations. Classes are held at the east-end Barranca Vista Center and selected elementary school sites. The program reaches over 6,000 participants yearly.
Cultural Funding Program
The Cultural Funding Program annually awards grants to arts organizations and individual artists through a competitive panel review process. Awards are available in the following four categories: General Operating Grants, Project Grants, Facility Use Grants and Artist Fellowships.
Created in 1993, the program has grown over the past decade to support the goals of the 2005 Cultural Plan. Among its goals are to: increase access to arts education programs for youth; increase the number of programs that celebrate Ventura's diverse community and rich history; and make the arts a major component of the community's fabric.
- Artist Fellowship Application
- Artist Fellowship Guidelines
- Arts Organization Application
- Arts Organization Guidelines
- 2007-2008 Cultural Funding Program Recipients
Mayor's Arts Awards
In 2005 the Cultural Affairs Division of the City of Ventura, on behalf of former Mayor Brian Brennan, established the Mayor's Arts Awards to recognize the contributions to the cultural community by City residents, artists, educators, organizations and business leaders.
- Mayor's Arts Awards
- Download the Mayor's Arts Awards Nomination form (pdf)
Public Art
Percent for Art Program
The City’s Percent for Art ordinance allocates 2% of qualifying projects from the Capital Improvement Program for the inclusion of public art. The program is overseen by the 7-member Public Art Commission, which sets policy and has approval authority over all projects conducted through the program. The program also includes the Municipal Art Acquisition program, established by City Council to document the history of visual art in Ventura by featuring and highlighting important works of art created by area artists. The collection provides increased access to artwork of high artistic merit and aesthetic quality through its display in the public areas of City Hall and other municipal buildings.
City Hall Galleries
The second floor of City Hall festures work from the Municipal Art Collection.
City of Ventura Municipal Art Acquisition Program
In May of 1999, the Municipal Art Acquisition program was established by City Council to document the history of visual art in Ventura by featuring and highlighting important works of art created by area artists. The collection provides increased access to artwork of high artistic merit and aesthetic quality through its display in the public areas of City Hall and other municipal buildings.
The Municipal Art Acquisition Committee, a subcommittee of the Public Art Commission, oversees the purchase of master works in a variety of artistic media. The Public Art Commission plans to expand the collection in future years through annual purchase of major artworks created by leading area artists.
Special Events
The City of Ventura Cultural Affairs Division produces several special events annually. Enjoy all eight blocks of crafters, artisans, food and entertainment at the Street Festivals. Or, if you like art, stroll through downtown businesses and galleries during one of the three ArtWalks.
Read more and see all of the events on our Event Program page
Downtown Art Walks
Three times a year, galleries, businesses and sidewalks come to life with art exhibits that highlight Ventura's unique visual and performing arts community.
Olivas Adobe Music Under the Stars
Twilight music series presented in the historic Olivas Adobe Courtyard every Saturday throughout the summer, featuring a variety of music from diverse cultures.
Street Festivals & Fairs
Cottontail Day
Technical Assistance
Management assistance for arts organizations and artists. This ongoing program includes individual consultations with professional arts management consultants, workshops, and seminars. Services focus on addressing needs identified by the local arts community and providing useful research and information on national, state and local trends affecting the arts.
Publications
State of the Arts is the CAD’s tri-annual newsletter providing current information and resources for Ventura's arts community. A bi-monthly electronic version is under development. To sign up to receive this e-news bulletin, please submit your email address to ewallner@cityofventura.net
Discover Ventura Tours
The Community Affairs Division has designed extensive programs designed to provide activities for tourists, including scheduled tours of Ventura’s historic sites, including the downtown area, Olivas and Albinger Adobes, and more.