Sonoma County has a fantastic resource that everyone should know about. Since 2014, Creative Sonoma, a division within the county’s Economic Development Collaborative, has been proving that the arts can be a powerful tool for community building, personal growth, and economic resilience. Creative Sonoma’s friendly staff administers grants, supports professional development initiatives, and coordinates arts education programs. For example, after the 2017 Tubbs wildfire ravaged Santa Rosa, Creative Sonoma provided artists with grants to help them cope with the economic disruption to their livelihoods. They also funded an artist-in-residence program, sending artists to schools to provide trauma-informed creative experiences to help youth process their emotions and emerge from the crisis with more resilience.

Building arts education

Creative Sonoma’s leadership benefits schools and artists in the county. Arts education events and publications foster connections among artists, nonprofits, and school leaders. A grant program provides funding for school districts to create strategic arts plans that leverage funding sources like Proposition 28.

“Prop 28 provides an exciting opportunity to address gaps in arts education in grades TK-12 and make the arts accessible for all students,” says Debbie Yarrow, Creative Sonoma arts education manager. Many people may not realize that California Education Codes 51210 and 51220 mandate that students in grades TK-12 develop skills in the visual and performing arts.

Proposition 28, which passed in November 2022, allocates 1% of the state’s budget to arts education each year to help schools meet this mandate. Annually, about $9.5 million is distributed to local school districts, primarily to pay arts teachers. This consistent funding stream means schools will have greater stability in bringing creative learning opportunities to students, ensuring the arts are included as a crucial component of a well-rounded education. Research suggests that students engaged in arts programming experience boosts in self-confidence, collaboration, and problem-solving skills — which can serve them for a lifetime. You can find many of these studies at artsedsearch.org.

Supporting emerging artists

Another program supported by Creative Sonoma is the Emerging Artists Incubator at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, which is accepting applications through Dec. 31 for an April-June 2025 cohort. The program is designed to empower and support talented emerging artists on their journey to establish themselves. The comprehensive program encompasses various career aspects, from artistic development to financial management and community building.

“The Emerging Artists Incubator provides an incredible opportunity for local artists to take the next step in their artistic careers,” says Tara Thompson, Creative Sonoma director. For more information, visit sebarts.org/incubator.

Opportunities for the community

Learn more about Creative Sonoma on its extensive website, which provides information about jobs, funding and scholarships, volunteer notices, and more. You can search using categories to sort current listings by deadline date or keyword, or click “All” to see everything posted at creativesonoma.org/opportunities.

The vibrant success of Creative Sonoma demonstrates how local arts programs, backed by dedicated funding at the state and county levels, can create lasting change within a community. As a theater educator in the county since before 2014, I can personally attest to the wonderful ways the program is shaping Sonoma County’s future. By encouraging artistic expression, professional development, arts events, and educational initiatives, Creative Sonoma is not just nurturing individual talents but building a stronger, more cohesive community where creativity thrives in every corner.