Arts Council of the Conejo Valley Plans the Future with Local Artists and Arts Organizations

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley (ACCV) announces recent steps taken in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. In addition to postponing its upcoming events, the Council is reaching out to its 76 member organizations to see how they are doing. The ACCV is asking its members to share the creative solutions they are using to continue to serve their constituents, and if they have any advice to share with their fellow arts nonprofits. In addition, the ACCV is asking how theycan contribute meaningful assistance to its members.

“In addition to local, state and federal funding opportunities, we want our members to know that there are educational opportunities that are free of charge right here in the Conejo Valley,” says ACCV President Ed Smart. “They can listen to webinars and take advantage of the many resources offered by local area organizations such as the Center for Nonprofit Leadership at California Lutheran University, and the Ventura County Community Foundation.”

ACCV schedules year-round arts events, and has postponed all scheduled events through the end of May 2020, and will be announcing new dates soon. The following events were impacted and any planned receptions and gatherings are being rescheduled:

GALLERIA ARTISTS RECEPTION

The current exhibit, “I Have a Story,” which had been showing at the Galleria in the Hlllcrest Center for the Arts. Artists in the show include Sydney Kopeikin, Linda Legman, Arlene Mead, Janet Milhomme, Bob Noonan, and Lorraine Strieby.

LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP

The Legacy Scholarship program offers cash awards toward college expenses for high school seniors in the visual and performing arts. Scholarship winners will be notified of their awards in time to be applied to the 2020-2021 academic year.

ARTS COMMUNITY EXPRESS PROGRAM (ACE)

The Arts Council recently received a grant from Montecito Bank to work with member organizations to provide interactive arts programs to local schools and local nonprofits serving our community. The programs are currently being adapted to accommodate California’s stay at home order.

CONEJO COTTONTAILS

This public art project is a cooperative effort with member organization Art Trek and places 6 ft. Cottontail sculptures at various locations in the Conejo Valley. The latest sculpture will be placed at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Thousand Oaks.

CONEJO ARTS JUBILEE

This event, originally scheduled for May 16, is a festival to celebrate the arts and is open to the public. Held at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, the Jubilee is a showcase for ACCV member organizations to demonstrate their talents through performances, exhibitions, and information booths.

“We all know how healing the arts can be and we look forward to a time when we can all gather together again to enjoy art, music and theatre,” says Smart. “Keeping our arts groups alive during this crisis will benefit our entire community during the recovery that lies ahead”

Artists and Arts Organizations should feel free to reach president, Ed Smart, with any questions at 805.358.3708 or [email protected].

The Arts Council for the Conejo Valley was established in 1969. During its over four decade span, the ACCV has gone through extensive changes in its programs and services. Established as a regional Federation of Arts organization that was formed to promote the community’s cultural development, the ACCV has evolved into a membership support agency that also delivers and co-sponsors many cultural programs. Member services include marketing, technical assistance workshops, and lowered rent at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. The ACCV has a history of successful partnership in the community. It has joined forces and worked toward a common with three major partners – the City of Thousand Oaks, the Conejo Recreation and Park District, and the Conejo Valley Unified School District. The ACCV, in collaboration with Art Trek, created the Conejo Cottontail Project to promote public art throughout the community.

The Hillcrest Galleria is currently closed to the public and will reopen when the current restrictions are lifted.