Happy New Years from Arts Connection!

As we begin 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect on a year of meaningful arts work across San Bernardino County. In 2025, Arts Connection supported over 100 artists directly, served over 2,000 students through our afterschool programs, expanded access to the arts in Bloomington, and showed up as your megaphone at the local, state, and federal levels. We brought creative experiences into public and community spaces throughout the region, always centering access, sustainability, and keeping the arts part of everyday life. We even supported the creation of the first ever sector specific plan for the Creative Economy in California. The year ahead is about continuing that work. Strengthening support for artists, culture bearers, and our creative economy countywide. Building sustainability into how we operate. Staying grounded in community needs as we grow alongside you.

Here’s what to expect in this issue of AC Digest:

Highlights from the Creative Economy Townhall
Ways to help shape a regional arts, culture, and creative economy framework
Upcoming events and microgrant opportunities
Job openings, teaching artist roles, and Poetry Out Loud updates

As your Arts Council, we’re honored to grow, connect, and create alongside you.

Here’s to a great 2026,

Alejandro Gutierrez-Chavez

Executive Director of Arts Connection - San Bernardino County Arts Council

Creative Economy Townhall: Building What’s Next, Together

Arts Connection was proud to co-host a Creative Economy Townhall with the California Arts Council, CA for the Arts, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, and the Inland Empire Community Foundation as part of the rollout of California’s first Creative Economy Strategic Plan.

Artists, cultural workers, educators, nonprofits, funders, and public partners from across San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire came together to share what the creative economy looks like here and what it needs to grow.

Through panels and small-group conversations, one truth came through clearly: creative workers, creative businesses, and culture are not extras. They are essential infrastructure for strong, healthy communities. People named what is working, what is missing, and what must change to build real pathways for creative work, support local talent, and invest in cultural spaces that belong to our communities.

We are now forming a regional coalition through the Inland Empire Arts Partnership, led by Arts Connection- Arts Council of San Bernardino County, Riverside Arts Council, and the Inland Empire Community Foundation. This coalition will develop a regional framework that advances the arts, culture, and creative economy across the Inland Empire.

If you want to help shape this work, we invite you to join us. Your voice, experience, and perspective are essential to building what comes next for our region.

Help Shape the Inland Empire Creative Economy

Microgrant Spotlight: Elsa Ouyang

Drop- Off’s Begin | Jan. 7th

Arts Connection- The Arts Council of San Bernardino County | 468 W 5th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401

Goldy S. Lewis Community Center | 11200 Base Line Rd., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701

Arts Connection is highlighting Microgrant Recipient Elsa Ouyang, whose microgrant project is the 3rd Annual Harmony of Hearts Young Art Exhibition 2026: "Boundless".

Now in its third year, the Harmony of Hearts Young Art Exhibition invites K–12 student artists from across San Bernardino County to submit artwork that imagines a world without limits—of creativity, culture, dreams, and possibility. the exhibition theme, "Boundless", aims to encourage young artists to reflect on how art can cross borders, connect communities, and open new pathways for the future.

To support county-wide access, Arts Connection is also serving as an alternate artwork drop-off location for families who may find our San Bernardino office (468 W 5th Street) more convenient than the Rancho Cucamonga site. Artwork may be dropped off January 7–31, 2026, Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.

The Art’s Connection Microgrant Program provides direct funding for artists to develop community-driven projects that celebrate culture, spark connection, and inspire creative innovation across San Bernardino County.

Learn More

Poetry Outloud: Open Mic

Thursday, Jan 15 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

KVCR Studio | 701 South Mt. Vernon Ave.

San Bernardino, CA 92410

(San Bernardino Valley College campus)

Arts Connection, in partnership with KVCR, invites the community to a Poetry Out Loud Open Mic featuring local poet Alexis I. Buzenes Argo. This free, all ages evening brings together spoken word artists, community poets, and Poetry Out Loud students for a night centered on performance, interpretation, and the power of sharing work out loud. Students will have the chance to practice their county competition recitations in front of a supportive audience, while local poets are invited to share original work, connect, and uplift youth voices.

Sign ups to perform will be available on site, or come through to listen and support. Free parking is available in Lots 11, 9, and 10 off Grant Ave, with KVCR located on the SBVC campus behind AutoZone.

Learn More

Ontario Artist Microgrant: Info Session #2

Tuesday, Jan 20th | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Ontario Museum of History & Art | 8265 Aspen St., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

If you missed our virtual microgrant info session earlier this month, here’s your chance to join us in person. On January 20th, Arts Connection and the City of Ontario Museum Arts & Culture, are hosting an in person info session to walk through how to apply for the Ontario Artist Microgrant.

We’ll cover who’s eligible, funding amounts, timelines, and tips for putting together a strong application without the stress spiral. The Ontario Artist Microgrant supports San Bernardino County artists seeking $500 to $1,500 to create community centered public projects within the City of Ontario, with activations completed by September 2026. Free to attend and open to artists at all stages.

Learn More

Now Hiring Community Teaching Artists

We are still seeking passionate and experienced Community Teaching Artists to join our team for the Spring 2026 Arts Avenue afterschool semester!

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.

Apply today to join our teaching artist roster!

Apply Today!

City of Ontario Artist Microgrant Program

Deadline to apply: January 31st

The City of Ontario, in partnership with Arts Connection, is launching its first-ever Artist Microgrant Program!

This is a pilot program and we are inviting artists from across San Bernardino County to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 to support public-facing creative projects that enrich the cultural life in the City of Ontario, while bringing meaningful arts experiences to its residents.

Applications are open now!

The deadline to apply is January 31st, 2026.

Apply Today!