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Dear Artists, Culture Bearers, and Friends of AC,
October is packed with opportunities to experience powerful stories, celebrate our community, and connect with local creatives! Spend a day at the movies during Inland Film Fest Screening Day, sharpen your skills and grow your network at the free IFF Storytellers Summit, and celebrate this year’s filmmakers at the Best of Fest Awards Ceremony. We’re also excited to partner with KVCR again for a joyful Día de los Muertos Community Celebration, featuring a special Lotería Afrolatina workshop led by artist Fabiola Ochoa Torralba. This month, we’re welcoming Morgan Blake Turner as our Estudio Aire Artist-in-Residence, opening applications for the 2027 Estudio Aire cohort, and looking ahead to Arts Avenue’s Fall 2026 Student Exhibition. Take a look, save the dates, and come spend October with us!
Alejandro Gutierrez
Executive Director, Arts Council of San Bernardino County
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Three Events, 71 Films: Inland Film Fest Returns!
The Inland Film Festival returns this October with three events celebrating filmmakers, strengthening creative career pathways, and showcasing stories from across the Inland Empire and beyond.
This year’s Screening Day will feature 71 films; including 41 from Inland Empire filmmakers; across animation, documentary, experimental film, live-action fiction, music videos, student work, and more. The festival continues with a free Storytellers Summit offering industry insights and hands-on learning, followed by the Best of Fest Awards Ceremony, where nine winners will be selected from 42 nominated films.
2026 Festival Events
Screening Day
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Regal Cinema San Bernardino | 450 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92401
Storytellers Summit
Friday, Oct. 23 | 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Steelworkers’ Auditorium | 8437 Sierra Ave., Fontana, CA 92335
Free and open to the public
Best of Fest Awards Ceremony
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 5:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Steelworkers’ Auditorium | 8437 Sierra Ave., Fontana, CA 92335
Free and open to the public
Now in its third year, the Inland Film Festival connects emerging and working filmmakers with public audiences, practical training, professional networks, and opportunities to build sustainable creative careers close to home.
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Welcoming Our Next Artist-in-Residence
We’re excited to welcome Inland Empire-based artist Morgan Blake Turner as our Estudio Aire Artist-in-Residence for October–November 2026.
Morgan’s practice explores identity, healing, and authenticity through oil painting and other mediums. During her residency, she will expand beyond her traditional self-portraiture practice, experimenting with photography, drawing, painting, and portraiture to examine how place and memory shape identity. Her research will trace the landscapes, routes, and landmarks connecting her childhood home in Pasadena with her later home in the Inland Empire.
We look forward to following where this period of experimentation, research, and making takes her!
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As Morgan begins her residency, we’re also looking ahead: applications are now open for the 2027 Estudio Aire at San Bernardino cohort.
Four emerging artists from across all artistic disciplines will be selected for two-month residencies taking place between April and November 2027. Each resident will receive:
- Dedicated studio space with 24/7 access
- A $1,000 artist stipend
- Mentorship and support from the Estudio Aire Curator
- Opportunities to engage the community through Public Happenings
Artists may develop new work, continue an existing project, conduct research, or explore a new phase of their creative practice.
Please note: Estudio Aire at San Bernardino is a work-in residency and does not provide housing or overnight accommodations.
Application deadline: December 5, 2026
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Celebrating Community at the September DTSB Art Walk
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the September 25 DTSB Art Walk as we came together in Downtown San Bernardino to celebrate art, culture, and community during Hispanic Heritage Month!
The Breezeway came alive with 14 local art vendors, while artist Tierra Martinez invited community members to gather and create through a community beading circle. The Arts Connection team joined in the creativity with a hands-on piñata-making activity, bringing people of all ages together to make and connect.
At The Little Gallery of San Bernardino, visitors experienced Transcendence: Reaching Beyond The Binary, while our downtown businesses welcomed Art Walk attendees throughout the evening. We were also excited to have Mas Amigos back serving up food and Viva La Boba open for everyone looking for a boba fix!
A huge thank you to the artists, vendors, businesses, partners, and community members who continue to make the DTSB Art Walk a space to discover local creativity, gather with one another, and experience the arts in Downtown San Bernardino.
We’ll see you at the next DTSB Art Walk on December 18!
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Inland Film Fest Screening Day
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Regal Cinema San Bernardino | 450 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92401
Spend the day at the movies with 71 films presented across five theaters. Explore live-action fiction, documentaries, animation, experimental films, music videos, student work, and more – including selections from the Inland Empire and around the world.
Come discover new voices, support independent filmmakers, and experience stories from near and far on the big screen.
Explore the screening schedule and get your tickets today!
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Dia De Los Muertos with KVCR
Thursday, Oct. 22 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
KVCR Public Media | 701 S. Mt. Vernon Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92410
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with Arts Connection and KVCR! We’re excited to partner again for this community celebration and to welcome artist Fabiola Ochoa Torralba, who will lead a special Lotería Afrolatina workshop.
Join us for a joyful evening featuring a community altar, PBS screenings, light refreshments, face painting, and more. Guests are invited to bring a photo or ofrenda to add to the community altar and to dress in traditional attire.
Free parking in Lot #11 off Grant Avenue
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IFF Storytellers Summit
Friday, Oct. 23 | 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Steelworkers’ Auditorium | 8437 Sierra Ave., Fontana, CA 92335
Ready to sharpen your skills and grow your creative network? Join us for a free day of learning and connection featuring a keynote presentation, an industry panel, and hands-on workshops for aspiring and emerging filmmakers.
Meet fellow creatives, gain practical insight from working professionals, and explore new approaches to filmmaking and storytelling.
Admission is free and open to the public – save the date and explore the program!
Presented in partnership with the City of Fontana, Program Partner for the IFF Storytellers Summit.
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IFF 2026 Best of Fest Awards Ceremony
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 5:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Steelworkers’ Auditorium | 8437 Sierra Ave., Fontana, CA 92335
Celebrate the filmmakers and stories of the 2026 Inland Film Fest! Join us as we announce this year’s Best of Fest award winners, then experience the winning films on the big screen.
Filmmakers, film lovers, and community members are all invited to close out the festival with an evening of recognition, connection, and great storytelling.
Admission is free and open to the public –join us for the celebration!
Presented with IFF Media Sponsor Inland Empire Community News and IFF Program Partner the City of Fontana.
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Arts Avenue's Fall 2026 Student Exhibiton!
Viewing Dates: Friday, November 3rd - 13th, 2026 | 8 AM - 4 PM
Closing Reception: Friday, November 13th | 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Páxám Páxám Welcome Center | 746 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92410
Viewing Dates:
You heard that right! Arts Avenue is hosting a Fall 2026 Student Exhibition in partnership with San Bernardino City Unified School District's Expanded Learning. The exhibition will showcase student art work from 8 elementary schools. The students and instructors are extremely excited to share with you what they have been creating this semester.
The theme? Fashion!
So, come on down to the Páxám Páxám Welcome Center and join us in your best dressed Friday, November 13th from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM. Enjoy an evening full of art and creativity! Our instructors will be hosting a complementary workshop for you and your family.
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Don’t Forget – Apply for Estudio Aire 2027!
Apply by December 5, 2026
Applications are now open for the 2027 Estudio Aire at San Bernardino cohort. Four emerging artists from any artistic discipline will receive a two-month residency with 24/7 studio access, a $1,000 stipend, curatorial mentorship, and opportunities to engage the community.
Whether you’re developing new work, continuing a project, conducting research, or entering a new phase of your creative practice, we want to hear from you.
Apply by December 5, 2026.
Estudio Aire is a work-in residency and does not provide housing or overnight accommodations.
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Call For Artist Vendors!
Apply by October 31st
Applications are now open for the 2027 Estudio Aire at San Bernardino cohort. Four emerging artists from any artistic discipline will receive a two-month residency with 24/7 studio access, a $1,000 stipend, curatorial mentorship, and opportunities to engage the community.
Whether you’re developing new work, continuing a project, conducting research, or entering a new phase of your creative practice, we want to hear from you.
Apply by December 5, 2026.
Estudio Aire is a work-in residency and does not provide housing or overnight accommodations.
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Now Hiring Community Teaching Artists
Hiring on a rolling basis
We are seeking passionate and experienced Community Teaching Artists to join the Arts Avenue afterschool program. Teaching Artists will lead arts-based classes for elementary and middle school students, creating spaces where young people can build confidence, develop new skills, and explore creative problem solving. This role includes designing and implementing lesson plans that align with VAPA standards, support diverse learning styles, and help students create meaningful work rooted in their own voices and experiences. This is an ongoing recruitment and applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.
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@ 2024 Arts Connection - The Arts Council of San Bernardino County. All Rights Reserved. 501(c)(3) - Tax ID # 46-3088038 |
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Office: 468 W. 5th St.. Unit 218, San Bernardino, CA 92401
Mailing: P.O. Box 1181, San Bernardino, CA 92402
P: 909.381.1900
E: info@artsconnectionnetwork.org
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