Announcing the 2025 Rural Arts Access Fund Project Support Grantees

FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS RURAL ARTS ACCESS FUND GRANTS TO NINE FRESNO COUNTY PROJECTS.

FRESNO, CA – Rural Arts Access Fund grants have been awarded to nine arts and culture organizations or projects working with city or town governments in rural Fresno County. Fresno Arts Council’s disbursement of project grants specifically geared toward rural Fresno County arts organizations complements the City of Fresno’s “Expanded Access to Arts and Culture” grants program, which exclusively supports arts and culture organizations within city limits. The Rural Arts Access Fund grants are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition to funding projects with grants of up to $5,000 each, this funding opportunity also aims to strengthen the skills and capacity of small to mid-sized arts organizations to apply for other grants in the future. Visit Fresno Arts Council’s website to learn more about the Rural Arts Access Fund.

Fresno Arts Council issued two requests for proposals—in August 2024 and January 2025—to support arts and culture projects in rural Fresno County communities that do not often receive grant funding or arts investments. Organizations from Del Rey, Kingsburg, Yokuts Valley, Auberry, Selma, Kingsburg, Coalinga, Firebaugh, and Sanger received funding to support their projects.

Projects supported by the Rural Arts Access Fund include: Del Rey Community Services District’s “Cinco de Arts Festival;” Coalinga’s Goldstar Wellness Center’s “Community Rock Garden Art Project: Fostering Creativity, Connection and Wellness;” Friends of the Auberry Library’s” Concert Series with Community Youth Outreach;” Friends of the 180’s “Scenic Highway 180 Art Trail;” Kingsburg Village Barn Playhouse Corporation’s “2025 Mainstage Production;” Community of Women Helping Women’s “Firebaugh Cultural Arts and Rhythms Festival;” SAM Academy’s “Community Showcase and Workshops with Ballet Folklórico Los Vaqueros;” the City of Selma’s production of “In the Red and Brown Water” by Selma Arts Center; and Centro de Folkór Padrinos’ “Bringing Tradition to Life: Día de los Muertos Cultural Arts Education.”

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to provide funding to artists and arts organizations in rural Fresno County,” said Fresno Arts Council’s Executive Director, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez. “We recognize that access to funding for the arts is limited in rural areas, and we look forward to increasing art opportunities in these communities.”

The grant period is January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. Please direct questions via email to Executive Director, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez at lilia@fresnoartscouncil.org or contact Fresno Arts Council Monday through Friday between 10:00AM and 2:00PM at 559-237-9734.