Episode 10: CA Arts & Culture Summit “Highlights Show Part 2” Transcription

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CA Arts & Culture Summit “Highlights Show Part Two” Transcription

George Koster: [00:00:00] Welcome to Voices of the Community. I'm your host, George Koster. Welcome to part two of Where Art Meets Impacts highlight show featuring insights from panelists at the 2024 Arts and Culture Summit, a collaboration between California for the arts and beak media. Over two seasons, we've amplified thought leaders, bridging arts, culture, health and government.

George Koster: And today's program is our grand finale, hosted by Eric Estrada. This episode also launches a fresh chapter. The voices of the community team turns its microphones toward making the invisible visible, a pilot series featuring the stories of our unhoused neighbors. In the interim, we'll rotate earlier episodes and archive gems to keep you inspired during this exciting period of creative transition.

Eric Estrada: Join our host, George Koster and our summit roaming reporter Eduardo Robles [00:01:00] as we highlight the voices of panelists and attendees that discussed how artwork is real work and how arts organizations are rebuilding communities through the arts. Our first voice is Jackie Melendez, assistant city manager for the city of Chino.

Jackie Melendez: Okay, so this is the arts economy. What just happened with the Swifties and with the Beyonce concerts and all of that. We're looking at Olympic size, economic impact in these communities. So anybody that tells you like, oh, one's, why is arts on the table, then that's how they'll talk, I promise. So this slide really basically tells it tells it all in an economic development context.

Jackie Melendez: Like some of your stuff that you do might say, oh, I don't see myself up there, but this is how you speak to economic developers right here, Mona Lisa. How many visitors go and see the Mona Lisa every year? Anybody know? 4 million. 4 million. A little higher. Yes. Dasia, how much? 10 million. 10 million. Who said [00:02:00] it?

Jackie Melendez: Right there? You're right. 10 million. That's the power of one painting. Now, now I'm an economic developer, so my brain just goes like, okay, how many dinners was that? Okay, how many Uber drives was that? How many, all these different multiplier effects? That's how we start to look at the economy and that's how you all have to be looking at, you know, the impacts of the things that you're doing, the artists that you're bringing in.

Jackie Melendez: So I'm not gonna go too much. The Cheech, just shout out to Cheech, I'm Chicana to be, to have the Cheech to be in the opening gala when all that was going down. You know, our art wasn't even, just, wasn't even looked at as art. We weren't allowed to be in museums. So to have our own museum, if you hear us bragging about this is a big deal for us.

Jackie Melendez: How many of you have been to the Cheech? Yes. If you haven't planned a trip, come down, spend some of your economic development dollars in the Inland Empire.

Eric Estrada: Our next voice is Tracy Hudak, director of Field engagement for California for the Arts.

Tracy Hudak: But really what has, because though [00:03:00] those elements were embedded and we also were identified in some strategies that created the basis at an accountability document, a basis for further action, a further investment, further commitment.

Tracy Hudak: And, but, and the land use plan. Now most people's general plans are already adopted and they're happening and they go out to 2040, but there are amendments. It is a living document, but that kind of change requires political will. It requires leadership. It requires continued conversation and decision makers that might lead, that would be elected inf uh, officials to influence.

Tracy Hudak: Commissioners and commissions and key staff member. Now in local government, most of you probably already know this, but most much of the directive and the thrust of what happens has to come from elected officials. It's the, they're the representatives and commissioners and staff don't often have advocacy power, but they do have influence.

Tracy Hudak: You know, they are the trusted [00:04:00] knowledge bearers. And so those relationships and staying in conversation and then there are other change makers in our community folks, and they can be individually meeting with elected officials and letting them know what we're making happen in the community. We can be those influencers.

Tracy Hudak: But then also be thinking about civic leaders, your community foundations, your board, your chambers of commerce, your business improvement districts, the groups of folks who convene, who talk about what's important to the community, who are trying to make communities thrive. They're eager to partner with us, they're eager for ideas often, and, uh, with a caveat and thank you too.

Tracy Hudak: Good. I'm perfect on the timing. Universities and researchers also can provide the local data, can do the footwork for you to make the case and build the data for the stories. How

Jackie Melendez: many of you have a data committee for your organizations? What's your organization? I'm at a community college. You're a community college.

Jackie Melendez: Community college. I've got the

Tracy Hudak: [00:05:00] resources. Nice. Okay, great. So if you don't have that data resource, you can partner with local scholars, academic teachers, professors, or departments in your universities or community colleges. And your Merp. And your mercs. Yes, yes, yes. And then also those folks who are tasked with systems change your disaster recovery coalitions and groups.

Tracy Hudak: Folks that are trying to, uh, anybody, any of the relationships that were built for the census outreach that California worked really hard, bringing all kinds of diverse people together to make sure folks were counted. If you wanna get involved in, in and partner in terms of engagement in this year's election.

Tracy Hudak: Those are great people to build relationships with in terms of getting the vote out, supporting their efforts to bring people to the table. Those are great partnerships.

Eric Estrada: Coming up next is Josiah Bruni, CEO of Music, changing Lives.

Eduardo Robles: Alright. Hi, my name is Eduardo Robles with Californians for the Arts and Voices of the [00:06:00] Community here at the second Annual California Arts and Culture Summit in Sacramento, California.

Eduardo Robles: I'm here with Josiah Bruney, our facilitator, or our panelist for the arts and youth. Panel. So there's been a lot of harm to communities and coming out of the, this pandemic of isolation and we heard some talk on arts and health and the damage is done to kids, you know, in their academic performance and literacy.

Eduardo Robles: And so there is probably, you know, some data there for some intervention support policies, et cetera. How are we addressing that urgency? Are, is it being addressed for youth? You know, like mentioned a little bit on the intergenerational leadership, our leader stepping up to support youth in

Josiah Bruny: that way.

Josiah Bruny: Sadly, I, I haven't seen too many examples that we can follow for that youth development. I mean, you have youth programming again, but mainly it's cookie cutter. It's not giving the students the power to be decision makers at the table, and also to be inclusive in this [00:07:00] economic development that we're talking about.

Josiah Bruny: And so that's what we're changing that narrative, right? We know our data, we know our narrative, and now we know the action and our action is to get more youth engaged. In those talking tables. And so we need to start and just meet them where they are, get them civically engaged, get them prepared, teach them advocacy, teach them how to go out and speak for themselves.

Josiah Bruny: But most importantly, we gotta stop acting like it's just cute what they're talking about. And truly listen to the youth. There's some dynamics children out here and young adults that are making some. Powerful movements, but they just need leaders like ourselves to come and listen to them and then give them the tools to make that change happen within their community.

Josiah Bruny: And that's again, what we're doing through our state of the youth program. And we're hoping that this will become a policy. So just like how every city gives a state of the youth or our state of the city address or the state of the county, we want their youth in those cities and their youth in those counties.

Josiah Bruny: To have now a youth council that will speak for their region statewide, [00:08:00] that says, here's what youth adults are facing. Because what I've seen is for politicians, I get it right, who's voting for me? That's all they're thinking about. Is it a I need a vote? And these young kids, they don't really count as a vote for them.

Josiah Bruny: And so we need to change that and let them know that these are the future voters for you, and these are the ones that are gonna set the tempo in the future for all of us. Hopefully they'll keep social security, healthcare, things like that. Rolling. And we don't drop the ball.

Eduardo Robles: Yeah. Yeah. So the artworks to empower youth, the artworks, thank you so much for offering us some of your insight.

Eduardo Robles: Into the panel and some of your programs and all of the good work that you're doing.

Eric Estrada: Thank you for spending some time with us. Thank you. Coming up next is Danielle Brazel and Gloria Garcia from the California Arts Council.

Eduardo Robles: So we're here at the California Arts and Cultures Summit, and I have with me

Danielle Brazell: Danielle Brazel, executive director of the CAC.

Danielle Brazell: Ooh. Gloria. Ella Garcia, [00:09:00] the

Gloriela Garcia: operations manager for CAC.

Eduardo Robles: Yep. We're here at the summit for artwork, is Real work. What has been the highlight of the day for you?

Danielle Brazell: Well, I will tell you the highlight of the day has been the incredible panels and really being able to hang out and be with my colleagues and learn from my colleagues from across the state.

Gloriela Garcia: Networking, getting to know another aspect that I'm usually not used to seeing and learning from all of you.

Eduardo Robles: And you know, it looks like we're a movement, right? Like there's just so many conversations that, you know, art and culture is, you know, you know, advancing. You know, what is the future looking like?

Danielle Brazell: So seeing the movement at this stage, some of us. Have been at it a really long time, and what I'm seeing is that the momentum continues to increase and the [00:10:00] investments, the advancements are actually happening. First of all, the strategic plan that was unveiled today for Californians for the Arts was absolutely amazing.

Danielle Brazell: And to see how much, how far we've come and yet how far we are to go.

Eduardo Robles: Where do you see yourself in this movement or where are you in the movement?

Gloriela Garcia: Where in the movement. I gotta say I'm more, because I'm operations, more budget focused, very strategic in that realm. So I am, what's the word? I'm embracing the art, the, our creativity.

Gloriela Garcia: And I wanna expand that a little bit more in knowledge. And so, yeah, so

Danielle Brazell: I wanna just say, shout out to all of the people who manage the contracts, who move the money, who manage the bureaucracy. Who makes sure that arts, culture, and creativity is getting into the hands of communities throughout the state, and this woman right here is behind it all.[00:11:00]

Eduardo Robles: Yeah, that's the artwork is real work. That's the art worker. You know, that's, that's the movement. You're, you're, you're moving the work forward.

Danielle Brazell: Art workers are our accountants. Art workers are operation managers, art workers are facility managers. They are supervisors. You know, there's, there's no question that.

Danielle Brazell: In order to be an arts worker, it manifests in multiple ways. Yeah.

Eduardo Robles: Yeah. Well, thank you so much Danielle, for taking the time, you know, to, you know, talk to us and you know, for welcoming us to Sacramento. You know, you're the leader of the Arts Council and congratulations on that appointment. Thank you. Very inspired for your leadership.

Danielle Brazell: Well, Eduardo, likewise, we've known each other a minute. And it's really great to see you blossom, and I hope you are thriving.

Eduardo Robles: Thank you [00:12:00] so

Eric Estrada: much.

Eric Estrada: We're halfway through our powerful conversation at the 2024 California Arts and Culture Summit. You've heard from the voices of Jackie Melendez, assistant city manager for the city of Chino, Tracy Hudak, director of Field Engagement for California for the Arts. Josiah Bruney, CEO of Music, changing lives.

Eric Estrada: And Summit attendees, Danielle Brazel and Gloria Garcia from the California Arts Council. Thank you to our incredible sponsors and donors like you for supporting voices of the community. Stay with us more. Highlights ahead. Voices of the Community is made possible by generous support from the Zeller Bach Family Foundation dedicated to ensuring vibrant work is created.

Eric Estrada: New voices are celebrated, and diverse communities have opportunities to thrive. Learn more at ZF. Org Voices of the Community is also supported by the Peaceful World Foundation, fostering a culture of global peace through hosted conversation and [00:13:00] education. Discover more@peacefulworldfoundation.org.

Eric Estrada: Welcome back to Voices of the Community, where today's conversation at the 2024 California Arts and Culture Summit focuses on how artwork is real work and rebuilding communities through the arts. Coming up next is the voice of Kristin Koda, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.

Eric Estrada: Let's continue the discussion.

George Koster: Hi, this is George Koster with the Voices of the Community and Californians for the Arts at the second annual California for the Arts and Culture Summit. I'm here with Kristen Kota from LA County Department of Arts and Culture, who was a speaker last year. And so Kristen, from this year's summit, what would you say are one of the main themes that you really resonate with and your department's work resonates with?

Kristen Sakoda: Sure. Absolutely. Well, it's exciting to be back again and be here in person. And of course we know that arts and culture is so important. It can apply to pretty much every facet of our civic lives. But it was really [00:14:00] important that today we uplifted the notion of cultural equity as well as economic empowerment for our artists and our communities, and the notion of arts and health.

Kristen Sakoda: And I'll say at the LA County Department of Arts and Culture, we work in a wide range of ways from grant making to. Arts education to civic art, but we are also focusing on the intersection of arts and health in our work. And so it's really been exciting to see this as a field begin to grow even more, including at this year's summit.

Kristen Sakoda: I.

George Koster: So just a follow up to that, do you feel like there's an opportunity for you to work with the county to actually, and this is always a hard one in today's environment, you know, economically secure funds to help execute perhaps everyone's favorite word, a pilot program on arts, you know, as health arts prescription?

Kristen Sakoda: Yes. Well, I'm happy to say that we actually have already been doing work at the intersection of arts and health and for everybody out there. I wanna say one other thing, which is expanding access to the arts in. Importantly [00:15:00] helps our wellbeing and our vital and healthy community. So any kind of access to the arts really supports arts and health.

Kristen Sakoda: But we at LA County have already been spearheading some partnerships and collaborations around arts as a mental health support for young people, as well as through our grant making to arts organizations throughout LA County, and also having artists in residence. And civic art in our hospitals. So we're excited about this work, but I am looking forward to growing and building on it from here with yes, hopefully unlocking more funding, more resources, and more opportunity.

George Koster: So just to, to wrap up, for all the folks listening and watching this, what can they do in their communities and within LA County, for example, to actually engage with. Nonprofits, your organization, to bring more of this to our community?

Kristen Sakoda: Yeah. Well, everybody can engage in the arts themselves, but also we can all be a voice for the arts because while broadly we know it's popular, it still sometimes can be a narrative that we [00:16:00] have to change.

Kristen Sakoda: That arts is just a nice to have, right? Or that we don't really need to pay for it somehow. So I think of everyone all across California. California all across the country really can continue to be a voice for the arts, but also to engage in it to make ourselves whole and happy and support organizations any way they can.

Kristen Sakoda: And if they are a nonprofit or an artist operating in LA in the county, of course you can apply to our programs@lacountyarts.org. But there's always great information all around California. Californians for the Arts, California Arts Council, and so on.

George Koster: Thank you so much, Christian, for all these really wonderful worlds of wisdom and taking time away from the summit to share your insights today.

Danielle Brazell: Thank you.

Eric Estrada: Coming up next is Jennifer Lane, executive director for the San Benito County Arts Council and President of California Arts Advocates.

Eduardo Robles: Hi, Eduardo Robles with Californians for the Arts and Voices of the Community here at the second annual California Arts and Culture Summit in Sacramento, California.

Eduardo Robles: I'm here with [00:17:00] Jennifer Lane, our board member. Hi. Hi, Jennifer. Hi. So Jennifer is leading a panel policy wins, updates, and visions for the future. You got

Jennifer Laine: it.

Eduardo Robles: Wonderful. Do you wanna talk a little bit more about, you know, what are some of these wins or Yeah. You know, speak a little bit more on the work that you're advancing.

Eduardo Robles: Sure.

Jennifer Laine: So one I can speak really in more detail about is the California Creative Core program, in part because it's one that I'm closely involved in on the central Coast. So this was one time funding kind of coming out of COVID relief funding to really put artists. In service, working closely with government agencies and community-based organizations to address really nutty community challenges around public health, civic engagement, social justice, and climate impact.

Jennifer Laine: So one of the panelists this afternoon will be from the Kern Dance Alliance that is working on a creative core program There. I believe, I wanna [00:18:00] say there's around 14 to 20 creative core programs happening throughout the state, but we're really towards the end of this program. It was a policy win because we were able to get arts funding out into the field and then really try to pilot these examples of artists working closely inside government and community-based organizations.

Jennifer Laine: So how are artists. Great second responders. How are they trusted messengers in their community? How can they help address all of these challenges at the local level? Where we're at is, you know, this funding set to expire. We'll be gathering all this data here on the central coast. We'll be producing a case study on the work that we've been doing.

Jennifer Laine: Because we want to continue to advocate for this funding. We know that the state is facing a major budget crisis that probably lasts longer than a year, unfortunately. But once we're in a bit of a better situation, we wanna make sure that the state reinvests in these programs, so reinvest in the [00:19:00] creative core, reinvest in cultural districts, and in creative youth development.

Jennifer Laine: Creative use development, of course, supports that pipeline of young artists and creatives so that we continue to build California's future creative workforce.

Eduardo Robles: Thank you so much. So what are your visions for the future? I mean, we saw, you know, some of those wins and, you know, creative course about to expire, you know, how are we kind of like mobilizing, you know, to prove, you know, the, the value of art workers to invest more?

Eduardo Robles: Are there. Emerging opportunities, how do we tap into those opportunities?

Jennifer Laine: Yeah, I mean, I think despite the challenges and the, the funding ups and downs that we all deal with, we're, we're gradually making change. We just have to keep, you know, advocating, keep fighting every day. We're taking a, a step forward in the right direction.

Jennifer Laine: What I would like to see, and I think this is something that we've really learned from the creative core, is. Wow. [00:20:00] An artist with a full-time salary and benefits. It, it's, it's magic, you know? And, and the thing is, it shouldn't be. Magic artists are entitled just like Every other Worker to a livable, predictable, sustainable wage.

Jennifer Laine: With healthcare benefits with retirement so they can live and thrive in California. That's what I would like to see, and I think everybody here wants to see that. Moreover, we wanna see it in the schools. We wanna see it in public spaces and in our communities. These are, you know, things that we value. We value beauty, we value connection and belonging, and this is what we can do as artists.

Eduardo Robles: Thank you so much, Jennifer, for taking the time Yeah. To talk and delighted

Eric Estrada: for your panel.

Tracy Hudak: Yeah, yeah. Thank you. Okay,

Eric Estrada: up next is Shelane, founding executive director of Atrium 9 1 6.

Shira Lane: I'm gonna get to this. So later on carts for the arts, we realized that cartridges, vape cartridges were being thrown away.

Shira Lane: They're being marketed as disposable. You can't dispose these vape [00:21:00] cartridges. You throw them in the trash, they explode. Yeah, they're connected. So they've got lithium iron batteries. So if you put it in E-waste, you can't put in e-waste because it's got the cannabis oil on it and you can't take it to the cannabis waste because it's got the lithium iron battery on it.

Shira Lane: And so you really literally can only hold onto it. And this was a big problem. So we created, oh, I'm gonna get to all of you. We created an art exhibit that was made out of cartridges, and we created an arts panel that went with it. And that was a panel with like manufacturers and that was a panel with policy advisory people and we got together and it got national news.

Shira Lane: But what was more important is after that exhibit finished, that group continued to meet, they became a working group, and eventually they were able to pass legislation that eliminated them being able to market that as disposable and change and force the marketer, the distributors, and the producers to change their design.

Shira Lane: So thank you. Art, we can make huge differences and that's where I'm getting at. So artists [00:22:00] could not get unemployment, they could not apply for the PPP. A lot of them were just lost. We had hundreds, and so we quickly got online and we brought in the city. It was great because then the city officials were able to actually hear from the local artists.

Shira Lane: What was really going on, and they could hear from hundreds of artists.

Eric Estrada: Next we have Summit attendees, Ruben Les, futuristic Chicanx artist, and Dr. Magna Bott, founder of Gula Stories.

Eduardo Robles: Hey, we're coming at you live at the California Arts and Culture Summit. I'm here with

Meghna Bhat: Magna Hutt.

Eduardo Robles: And Ruben

Ruben Reveles: Reveles. Yeah. So how, how has been today?

Ruben Reveles: It's been great. A lot of, uh, a lot of interesting things to learn about and, um, we learned a lot of stuff about sound and healing and yeah, it's great and art. Wonderful. Yeah. Artwork is

Eduardo Robles: real

Ruben Reveles: work. Yeah.

Eduardo Robles: How is artwork real work for you?

Meghna Bhat: Oh, I think just the community building and the transformative conversations we have about the power of stories, the power of art and culture, you know, to create a sustainable environment and the future.[00:23:00]

Meghna Bhat: I love those elements of the conversation. Yeah.

Eduardo Robles: What were you most inspired by today?

Meghna Bhat: Um, I think the whole, you know, the, I think the deeper conversations about artwork is real work. And as an artist, how do you align your values? You know, to the yes values, right? What do you say yes to? And you say no to like unpaid work.

Meghna Bhat: 'cause I think you're setting it up for other future artists. So how do you step up and you assert yourself and you know, recognize your own value. I love that part.

Ruben Reveles: So did it inspire like more advocacy work? Yes, it, yeah, it really did. And also to learn what you're not that good at doing and learn to reach out and, and ask for help for people and you know, and.

Ruben Reveles: Communicating and, you know, meeting all these new people, which is a good extension of, of community work. Yeah.

Eduardo Robles: Yeah. Our statewide peers, right? Like our folks all over the city. What, what, what was your favorite panel?

Meghna Bhat: Oh, I, I feel, I love the keynote. The, you know, the first two panels were really powerful.

Meghna Bhat: Again, they addressed so many aspects of conversations and [00:24:00] struggles that each of us are going through in our own artistic discipline. And just to know that you're not alone and we are trying to problem solve. And again, create visibility and, you know, legitimacy of the work that we are doing in our different disciplines.

Meghna Bhat: Yeah.

Eduardo Robles: Did you do a, did you do a workshop?

Meghna Bhat: Yes,

Ruben Reveles: it was great. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It was more of the art and healing and, and music and sound. Whoa. So it was really good. Yeah. 'cause being a former musician. You know, I can relate to what they were talking about. So in art and peeling through music and you know, that was great.

Ruben Reveles: Wonderful. Wonderful.

Eduardo Robles: So can you tell us a little bit about the organization or, and the artist?

Ruben Reveles: Yeah, yeah, sure. I'm a chicanex features artist. I do. A lot of work in movement, vibration sounds, colors, and, uh, through healing, right, too. And also a story culture teller and going through Mexico and coming back and displaying the great parts of Mexico, you know?

Ruben Reveles: Yeah. The practitioners. The practitioners here, I.

Meghna Bhat: I am Magna. I'm a first generation South Asian immigrant and I [00:25:00] created Gula stories, a South Asian storytelling initiative about healing, and I am a storyteller by artists, so I share stories on stage. I facilitate storytelling workshops for immigrant and refugee communities, and I, I love what I do.

Eduardo Robles: Great. There it is. Artwork is culture, work, artwork is. Here at the California Arts and Culture Summit, thank you for joining us. Yeah,

Meghna Bhat: thank you for much. Thank you for this opportunity.

Eric Estrada: Coming up next, we have Summit attendee, Alex Gado from the Arts Council of Kern.

Eduardo Robles: Hi, we're here at the California Arts and Culture Summit, and here I am with Alex, Alex Gado with Arts Council of Kern.

Eduardo Robles: Alex, what brings Wonder what, how, how does artwork, how is artwork, real work or cultural work or economic work? I'll

Alex Gallardo: go with the first question you asked was, how do you nourish wonder? I think it's a opportunity. Give the opportunity to the people who, who, who want to grow and are wondering. So just giving out that opportunity and being a part of it and helping 'em out.

Alex Gallardo: I think that's a good way to, to nourish it.

Eduardo Robles: Yeah.

Alex Gallardo: What did you like today? Oh, experience. I was here last year. [00:26:00] I liked it last year. This year was, was also really good. A lot of good topics to talk about. I managed the arts and corrections program with Arts Council of Current, so I always kind of take a little bit there and, and, and, and how to make my program better.

Alex Gallardo: And I think there was a. Pretty good points out there. Yeah.

Eduardo Robles: You're part of a big mo bigger movement of how, you

Alex Gallardo: know, like art and culture is being, you know, kind of used as a

Eduardo Robles: solution. Yeah.

Alex Gallardo: You know, we really want to empower those that, that are, are, feel like they're powerless, feel like they're, uh, forgotten.

Alex Gallardo: We really want to bring that out there and also give 'em, give 'em that sense of, uh, that, you know, they can do, they can still contribute to the community. They could still do things that, you know, make 'em feel as a community. So, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I love it. It was good. Beautiful.

Eduardo Robles: Wonderful. So we got a little story on Wonder.

Eduardo Robles: Um, can you tell us a little bit about your community, how you're taking all of this back to your community? Well,

Alex Gallardo: like I said, we, we, we are arts and corrections and, uh, and we, we, we plan to grow and expand. So part of my thing is to recruit artists, teaching artists to go and, and to give back to the community, [00:27:00] get back to those institutions.

Alex Gallardo: So, yeah, man, it's just, just a positive thing overall.

Eric Estrada: Well, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. That concludes part two of our highlight episode of Season two of Where Arts Meets Impact in partnership with California for the Arts. A special thanks to our summit attendees and our guests, Jackie Melendez, Tracy Hudak, Josiah Bruney, Kristen Sakoda, Jennifer Lane, and Sheila Lane.

Eric Estrada: For their insights on arts advocacy, visit voices of the community.com and go to season two of where Arts Meets Impact and explore more about our guests and see their work and take action in your community to support the arts. While you're on our website, we invite you to visit and stay tuned for our next series, making The Invisible Visible as we amplify the voices of our unhoused neighbors and the people and organizations that support them.

Eric Estrada: Today's episode was made possible

George Koster: through our co-production partnership with California for the Arts at their annual California Arts [00:28:00] and Culture Summit. Special thanks to our technical crew, audio and video Wizard, Eric Estrada and our co-production partner, beak Media and their wonderful team, Paula Arni, Andy Konami, Shavan Giles, and Clay Go.

George Koster: Thanks to Casey Nance from Citron Studios for the Graphics Magic. A special thanks to our broadcast partners who helped share these important conversations. K-S-F-P-L-P-F-M in San Francisco. K-P-C-A-L-P-F-M. And Petaluma. Petaluma Community Public Access tv, vac Media's SF Commons, and PEG Media's Public Access TV exchange.

George Koster: Thank you for your commitment to amplifying diverse voices and perspectives. Please support these partners and our mission by tuning in and spreading the word. Voices of the community is made possible by generous support from the Zeak Family Foundation dedicated to ensuring vibrant work is created.

George Koster: New voices celebrated and diverse communities have opportunities to thrive. Learn [00:29:00] more@zf.org. Voices of the community is also supported by the Peaceful World Foundation, fostering a culture of global peace through hosted conversations and education. Discover more at Peaceful World Foundation. Dot org and we'd love your support to continue to make shows just like this one.

George Koster: Go to voices of the community.com and click on the donate button to help us continue to bring you unique voices from our community. Take voices of the community with you on the go. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app, enjoying the show. Please rate and review us on your favorite app.

George Koster: It helps more people discover these important stories. Go to youtube.com/at geo cost to watch or listen to all of our past and future episodes. And you can always go to voices of the community.com and listen and watch our five series and from our archives. Have feedback or ideas for shows. We'd love to hear from you.[00:30:00]

George Koster: emailGeorge@georgekoster.com. I'm George Koster from San Francisco. On behalf of our team, thank you for joining us. Until next time, remember, your voice matters.

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Voices of the Community is supported by a grant from the Peaceful World Foundation dedicated to fostering a culture of global peace through the promotion of hosted conversations and education. You can learn more at peaceful world foundation dot org.

Thanks to our CoProduction Partner

California for the Arts (CFTA) and California Arts Advocates (CAA) are sister organizations working together to support and strengthen the arts in California.

California for the Arts (CFTA) focuses on grassroots advocacy and empowering individuals to become advocates for the arts. They provide resources, programs, and services to raise awareness about the importance of the arts and help build a more creative California.

California Arts Advocates (CAA)focuses on professional public policy advocacy at the state level. They work to secure funding for the arts, advance policies that benefit artists and arts organizations, and ensure that the arts are represented in legislative decisions.

Together, CFTA and CAA work to create a thriving arts ecosystem in California by mobilizing grassroots support and advocating for policies that sustain and grow the arts sector. Learn more about their programs and get engaged.

Donate to Voices of the Community

We are fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which allows us to offer you tax deductions for your contributions. Please consider making a donation to help us provide future shows just like this one. If you want to send us a check, please make checks payable to Intersection for the Arts and write [Voices of the Community] in the memo line of your check. This ensures that you’ll receive an acknowledgement letter for tax purposes, and your donation will be available for our project.

1446 Market Street | San Francisco, CA 94102 | (415) 626-2787