20 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY november 14-20, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Nonprofits fill a gap for offering arts and culture in local schools and beyond. They rely on philanthropic support. By Agata Pop˛eda Art for All There are dozens of arts nonprofits active in Monterey County. California is one of the states where a network of arts organizations is dense, as it is in places like New York, Tennessee and Rhode Island—the second because of Nashville, the third because of the Rhode Island School of Design. In 2021, California had the highest number of jobs in the arts nationwide. That means Monterey County communities are lucky, even if, in 2024, the American government spent only $6 on the arts per capita, when Germany spent $89. Art seems to be an afterthought in schools in Gonzales or Bradley. “Schools don’t even offer basic drawing classes,” says José Ortiz, the artistic director and lead instructor at Hijos Del Sol, an arts nonprofit in Salinas. Not every public school district is lacking for arts programming. At Carmel High School, for example, students enjoy digital art classes as well as a dedicated performing arts center. But even though the arts are the focus of Carmel Unified School District, according to teacher Holly Lederle, who chairs the visual and performing arts department, there’s still need for more arts, especially in the elementary and middle schools. “We are the only district left that offers dance,” Lederle says. Despite its relatively robust arts programming, CUSD, like other school districts, also relies on arts nonprofits, working closely with the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts and Center for Photographic Art, both Carmel-based. Where there is a gap in arts funding and programming at public schools, nonprofits step in to help fill the gap. At Palenke Arts in Seaside, demand is high. “We have waiting lists for classes,” Executive Director Juan Sánchez says. In other words, there’s an evident need for more exposure to broadly understood arts, including visual arts, performance, dance, cultural events and regional celebrations. This ecosystem of arts organizations operates Clockwise from top left, at Hijos Del Sol in Salinas: Kevin Valencia, 12, and instructor Jose “Pepe” Nolasco work on a sketch. Hijos Del Sol is a place where young artists come to work on any project. Everyone is welcomed, whatever they want to achieve. Founder José Ortiz shows available art supplies. Daniel Dreifuss Daniel Dreifuss Daniel Dreifuss
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