Yolo County Arts Council Inc.

Overview
Yolo County Arts Council Inc., also known as YoloArts, is a nonprofit organization based in Yolo County, California. Established in 1981, YoloArts was founded as a recommendation of the Yolo County Cultural Plan to enhance arts and culture within the community. The organization aims to support and advocate for the arts, promote arts education, and cultivate connections among artists, businesses, educational institutions, and county residents.

Mission
YoloArts is dedicated to cultivating and enriching lives through the arts. Its mission encompasses the promotion of arts education programs and the facilitation of exhibitions and public art projects. The council plays a pivotal role in connecting artists with the community to foster emotional and intellectual enrichment.

Programs and Initiatives
YoloArts is recognized for its diverse arts education and outreach programs, which include:

• Artists in Schools: Bringing professional artists into educational settings to enhance students' learning experiences.
• ArtMix: An event series that integrates arts and community engagement.
• Blues in YoloSchools: A program focused on introducing students to blues music and its cultural significance.
• Art & Ag Project: A unique initiative pairing local artists with farmers to create artwork that reflects the agricultural landscape of Yolo County.
• Art in Public Places: Projects aimed at enhancing public spaces with artistic installations.
• YoloArts Musical Tour: A series of performances that showcase local talent.
• Exhibitions at Gallery 625: Regular displays of local artists' works fostering community engagement with the arts.

Recognition
YoloArts has garnered national attention for its initiatives, particularly the Art & Ag Project, which highlights the importance of local landscapes and farming culture through art. In 2012, Rocco Landesman, the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, visited the organization to learn about its contributions to the arts and agriculture interface, emphasizing the beauty of rural landscapes and the need to preserve them.

Governance
YoloArts is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, composed of community members who bring diverse professional expertise to the organization. The board is responsible for fiscal oversight and strategic decision-making, meeting regularly to guide the council's initiatives and policies.

Partnerships
As a designated State-Local Partner with the California Arts Council, YoloArts collaborates with both public and private sectors to enhance the arts ecosystem in Yolo County. This partnership facilitates access to resources aimed at creating, exhibiting, and preserving the area's rich arts and cultural heritage.

Through its ongoing efforts, YoloArts strives to inspire a flourishing arts scene, enhancing the quality of life in Yolo County and fostering a vibrant cultural network.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YoloArts [2] https://yoloarts.org/about-us/ [3] https://arts.ca.gov/grantee/yolo-county-arts-council-inc-9/ [4] https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/organization/yoloarts [5] https://yolocountylibrary.org/yolo-county-historical-collection/