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Dear Artists, Culture Bearers, and Friends of AC,
HAPPY ARTS, CULTURE, & CREATIVITY MONTH! ᯓ★
April is a statewide call to show up for creativity and its role in our communities. Here in San Bernardino County, that work is already in motion—artists, educators, students, and cultural organizations are shaping culture every day.
This month, Arts Connection is building on that momentum through new funding opportunities from the California Arts Council, the launch of our 2026 Inland Film Festival season, and the welcome of a new Estudio AIRE Artist-in-Residence.
In this issue of the AC Digest, you’ll find ways to plug in—from film submissions and public programs to funding, workshops, and community events happening across the region.
Scroll down to explore what’s coming up and how to get involved.
Alejandro Gutierrez
Executive Director, Arts Council of San Bernardino County
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Twelve Artists Selected for Inaugural City of Ontario Pilot Microgrant Program
Twelve artists have been selected for the City of Ontario’s first-ever Artist Microgrant Pilot Program, launched in partnership with Arts Connection to support artist-led projects across the city. This new investment will fund public activations throughout 2026, including murals, performances, workshops, and community-based art experiences that expand access to the arts and strengthen Ontario’s growing creative economy.
Selected Artists Include:
- Man One (Alejandro Poli Jr.)
- Tierra (Blanca Martinez)
- Ba Soul (Brenda Angel)
- El Ceballos
- Elaine Talamaivao
- Elizabeth Heredia
- Elsa Ouyang
- James Ojeda
- Agua from MiLPA (Jose Ledezma)
- Malik Laing
- Michael Kotzen
- Willis Garcia Salomon
Read the full press release to meet the selected artists and learn what’s coming next.
A Powerful Voice Returns! Maximilian Goodly, Out 2026 San Bernardino County Poetry Out Loud Champion!
Norton Science & Language Academy junior Maximilian Goodly claims the title of San Bernardino County Poetry Out Loud Champion for the second time, an extraordinary achievement reflecting his powerful voice, artistry, and dedication to poetry.
He went on to shine at the California State Finals, standing among the very best of more than 14,500 students statewide. Maximilian’s success is a proud moment for our community and a powerful reminder of how poetry can uplift, inspire, and amplify student’s voices.
Presented by Arts Connection - The Arts Council of San Bernardino County as part of the national Poetry Out Loud program, continuing to empower students across the region through the art of performance and expression.
What set Maximilian apart? What did it take to rise to the top? Read the full press release to learn more!
We invite High Schools across San Bernardino County to join this inspiring program and provide their students with the opportunity to engage with poetry in a meaningful, life-changing way. Poetry Out Loud is not just about performance, it’s about connection, expression, and discovering the power of one’s voice.
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Arts Connection Heads to Sacramento for Arts Advocacy Day 2026!
Arts Connection is proud to bring the voice of San Bernardino County to the statewide stage at the 2026 Arts Advocacy Day! As a State Local Partner and Advocate Captain, Arts Connection - The Arts Council of San Bernardino County will join arts leaders from across California at the California Arts & Culture Summit 2026 on April 20th, followed by Arts Advocacy Day at the State Capital on April 21st.
Hosted by California for the Arts, this powerful statewide effort shines a spotlight on the importance of the arts, championing policies, funding, and opportunities that support the creative economy across the state, our communities, and expands equitable access for all.
Be part of the movement. Help elevate the arts in California and make your voice heard!
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Welcome Estudio Aire artist-in-residence Ricardo Corona!
We’re excited to welcome Ricardo Corona as an Estudio Aire Artist-in-Residence for April–May 2026!
Ricardo is a Mexican American background artist, visual developer, and animator based in the Inland Empire. Working across digital and traditional mediums—including watercolor and gouache—his practice explores immersive world-building shaped by storytelling, art history, and contemporary media.
After earning his BFA in Pre-Production from California State University, Long Beach, Ricardo has contributed to multiple projects across disciplines, working as a background painter on Phantom Fun Arcade, PELEA, and Seek, a 2D hand-drawn animator on A Savage Art, and as a motion graphics artist on Elara. In addition to his professional work, he is the self-published author of Compendium of Partemsian Wildlife (2021), a non-narrative picture book exploring fantasy creatures from the world of Partemsia.
During his residency, Ricardo will develop Partemsianos, an original story brought to life through keyframe illustrations, character and costume design, environmental world-building, and watercolor sketches.
As part of his residency, Ricardo invites the community into his process through a two-part Estudio Aire Happenings series:
The Mood Board Room: A Space Dedicated to Inspiring Ideas and Art
📅 Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Permanent Sketching: Visual Development with Watercolor Sketching
📅 Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM
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Arts Connection Relaunches Creatives at Work
First Interview Released Monday, Apr. 6th at 3 PM
Arts Connection is proud to relaunch Creatives at Work, a campaign that documents and uplifts creative labor across our region while centering the lived experience of artists as workers, community members, and culture bearers.
This series highlights artists who are actively shaping our creative ecosystem—sharing how they approach their work, what’s influencing their practice right now, and what it takes to build a sustainable creative life in the Inland Empire. Each feature offers an honest look at both the momentum and the challenges, grounded in process, access to resources, advocacy, and the real conditions artists navigate to sustain their work.
Creatives at Work affirms artists as essential contributors to our regional economy and civic life, and positions the creative sector as critical infrastructure for a thriving, inclusive Inland Empire.
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Harmony of Hearts: Young Art Exhibition & Award Ceremony
April 16th - 18th
Goldy S. Lewis Community Center | 11200 Base Line Rd., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701
Harmony of Hearts Young Art Exhibition, microgrant recipient Elsa Ouyang’s Arts Connection Artist Microgrant project, will be open to the public from April 16–18, 2026 at the Goldy S. Lewis Community Center (11200 Base Line Rd., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701), featuring a curated display of student artwork (K–12) and the stories behind each piece.
The exhibition will culminate on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, as part of the 5th Rancho Cucamonga Arts Festival. During this time, visitors can experience the full showcase alongside live stage performances, arts-related booths, and hands-on activities for the community. The award ceremony will also take place during this time, recognizing outstanding young artists and bringing the exhibition to a meaningful close.
The exhibition highlights creativity, self-expression, and community connection, with a special emphasis on supporting youth and inclusive arts education.
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Inland Film Festival 2026 Is Coming: Submissions Open Soon!
Film Submissions open May 1st - June 30th, 2026
The Inland Film Festival (IFF), led by Arts Connection, is gearing up for its 2026 season with a Call for Submissions opening soon, inviting filmmakers, students, and creatives across the Inland Empire to get their work ready. The festival continues to build real pathways into film and media through screenings, an industry expo, networking events, and the Best of Fest Awards, all designed to connect local talent with career opportunities and professional networks. With year-round programming and a focus on growing the region’s creative economy, IFF is positioning Inland storytellers at the center of the industry.
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Submit your
ACCM happenings to
the SB County Arts + Culture Happenings Calendar
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SB County Arts & Cultural Happenings is now live as a 24/7 calendar, making it easier to find what’s happening across the region anytime you need it. From exhibitions and festivals to performances, workshops, and more, this is your go-to hub to explore, attend, and stay connected to arts and culture across the county.
Have something coming up for Arts, Culture & Creativity Month? Share your event so the community can stay in the loop from the valley to the mountains to the desert! |
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Funding for the Arts - Now Open Across California
The California Arts Council has opened applications for its 2026 grant cycle, offering funding opportunities for arts organizations, youth arts programs, high-quality community arts initiatives, and local arts agencies across California.
Whether you're a first-time applicant, a small arts organization, or part of a rural community, this is your moment to explore funding designed to support creative work and strengthen local cultural ecosystems.
Deadline: May 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Grants support youth programs, nonprofit arts organizations, high-quality community projects, and local arts agencies.
This year also marks 50 Years of Creative Impact—a milestone celebration of how the arts continue to shape vibrant, connected communities statewide. Learn more and apply
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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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