Performances to Grow On Awarded California Arts Council Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Relief Grant

July 2, 2022

State funds will support the Ojai Storytelling Festival.

Ojai, CA– The California Arts Council has announced a grant award of $23,750 to Performances to Grow On as part of its Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Relief program in its first round of funding for 2022.

Since 1995, Performances to Grow On's mission has been to present audiences of all ages with educational, imaginative, and engaging performances that encompass a variety of artistic and cultural traditions through renowned national and international artists and touring companies. Much of the grant award will be used to produce the 21st annual Ojai Storytelling Festival. Brian Bemel, founder and former director of Performances to Grow On, started the Ojai Storytelling Festival back in 1999. It began as a 3 day event with 4 storytellers and has since grown to 4 days with 7 storytellers, several musical acts, and a thriving boutique marketplace. Brian put his heart and soul into this annual event and 23 years later it is still going strong. You can purchase tickets for the festival and find out about our other events by visitiing ojaistoryfest.org or https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/ojaistoryfest/6604.

“Rebuilding after Covid has been a challenge but with the grant award from the California Arts Council we will be able to jumpstart our programming!” Kara Lakes, Executive Director.

Performances to Grow On was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council, with grant awards for its Cycle A programming totaling more than $31 million across more than 1,100 grants supporting nonprofit organizations and units of government throughout the state. The dollar amount already marks the largest annual investment in the California Arts Council’s 46-year history. 

“We are elated today to be able to say that, with this first round of funds, we are placing a historic amount of money into the very worthy hands of California’s arts and cultural workforce—and with more yet to come,” said California Arts Council Chair Lilia Gonzáles-Chávez. “We have long since understood the value of our artists in this state, and we are incredibly grateful to our Governor and our Legislature for their support and sharing in a like-minded vision for a California where all people flourish with access to and participation in the arts.”

Organizations were awarded grants across seven different program areas within Cycle A, focused on the CAC’s efforts to address geographic equity, enable autonomy and sustainability for smaller organizations, and grow the strength of local arts agencies and their partnerships.

To view a complete listing of all California Arts Council grantees by county, visit this link. For a complete listing of grantees by organization, go to this link.

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PTGO has a strong commitment to arts education as evidenced by its programs, assemblies, workshops and field trips in Ventura County and beyond. PTGO’s eclectic programming provides enrichment to a very diverse audience from a variety of incomes and cultural backgrounds by offering multi-cultural events that celebrate the history and diversity of the community. We believe in the power of live performance to expand our boundaries, to connect with others and to foster self-discovery. 

The California Arts Council is a state agency with a mission of strengthening arts, culture, and creative expression as the tools to cultivate a better California for all. It supports local arts infrastructure and programming statewide through grants, initiatives, and services. The California Arts Council envisions a California where all people flourish with universal access to and participation in the arts.

Members of the California Arts Council include: Lilia Gonzáles-Chávez, Chair; Consuelo Montoya, Vice Chair; Gerald Clarke, Vicki Estrada, Jodie Evans, Ellen Gavin, Alex Israel, Phil Mercado, and Roxanne Messina Captor. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.

The California Arts Council is committed to increasing the accessibility of its online content. For language and accessibility assistance, visit https://arts.ca.gov/about/about-us/language-communications-assistance.