Alameda County celebrates the arts

In a public showing of support for the arts in the East Bay, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors has recognized March as Art IS Education Month and April as Arts, Culture and Creativity Month.

Presented by the supervisors during a special ceremony on Feb. 25, the proclamations spotlighted Art IS Education Month and Arts, Culture and Creativity Month as programs initiated by Alameda County in partnership with the Alameda County Library to promote a love and appreciation of arts and culture.

“I am pleased to recognize Art IS Education Month of March and Arts, Culture and Creativity Month of April,” Board President Richard Valle said in a statement. “These initiatives encourage Alameda County community members of all ages to connect with each other, create solutions, and build community through the arts.”

At the event, Valle was joined by the other four members of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors; County Administrator Susan S. Muranishi; Melissa Wilk, county auditor-controller; Deb Sica, Alameda County’s deputy librarian; Rachel Osajima, director of the Alameda County Arts Commission; county staff; and appointed members of the Alameda County Arts Commission.

Art IS Education was founded in 2000 by the county’s Arts Commission and Office of Education, making this the 20th anniversary of the program.

County officials said that 2020 also marks the 10th anniversary that the county library system has joined in partnership with the Arts Commission to present more than 200 free arts events at 11 library locations across the county each year. Cultural events include a wide range of workshops, performances, concerts, movies, art contests, exhibitions and story time activities for all ages.

Art IS Education series events are presented through support of the county’s “New Beginnings” mentor and on-the-job training program for youth and the Alameda County Arts Commission’s 100 Families program, which brings together families through making art.

All library events are listed at www.aclibrary.org.

County officials say that Arts, Culture and Creativity Month recognizes the crucial role of arts, culture and creativity in the lives of everyone in California. Organized by Californians for the Arts, the event encourages community members and arts organizations throughout the State to come together in support of the arts.

During the month of March, the Arts Commission’s “Create Alameda County” division and “Create California” program is encouraging community members across the state to sign a pledge in support of arts education online at www.createca.net.