(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) – In March, the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture will
launch Make It: Building a Public Art Practice, a free workshop series to help artists begin working in public art. The program, which is the first of its kind in the region, will be taught in a hybrid format by nationally respected public art professionals. Artists who attend four or more courses will be eligible for an exclusive public art commission opportunity. More information and registration links are available at www.sbac.ca.gov/workshops.
Funding through an UPLIFT Central Coast grant will cover program costs for all attendees. The
workshops are open to artists of all backgrounds and experience levels, and interested participants may register for any of the individual workshops or a combination.
“We’re excited to work with artists to expand public art production in the region,” said Sarah York Rubin, Executive Director of the Office of Arts and Culture. “This program is an essential bridge to making that possible.”
Comprised of eight weeknight sessions, one in-person mixer, and one in-person public panel and
networking session, the program will cover the full public art commission and production process. Topics include finding public art opportunities, budgeting and costs, developing design proposals, fabrication and installation, engineering and construction support, and other key considerations. Virtual sessions will be recorded and made publicly available.
The Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture (SBCOAC) serves as the local governmental umbrella for arts and culture projects and programs. The SBCOAC represents a remarkable longstanding partnership between the County of Santa Barbara and the City of Santa Barbara and serves as a State-Local Partner of the California Arts Council. Through robust public-private partnerships, the SBCOAC seeks to support and catalyze art, culture, and creative expression. For more information, visit www.sbac.ca.gov.
Uplift Central Coast is a six-county regional partnership convened by the Economic Development Collaborative, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, and REACH to advance an equitable economic resilience plan through creative, sustainable, and community-led strategies serving residents of Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. For more information, visit upliftcentralcoast.org.
