steinbeck.org BIG IDEA: The National Steinbeck Center is more than its downtown Salinas headquarters, which welcomes more than 45,000 visitors to its interactive museum each year. This Big Idea also includes the development of traveling exhibits and maintenance of world-class archives to celebrate local hero and Nobel laureate John Steinbeck. This author’s timeless stories continue to inspire thinkers of all ages, from the scholars who tap into the museum’s 45,000-item collection to the Steinbeck Young Authors initiative for middle school students. “The National Steinbeck Center has immersed me in the literature of both Steinbeck’s country and an important era in American history, illuminating the origins and intersections of the area that I call home, while also enlightening me about the unsung stories of the 20th century.” -Jordan Hankoff PACIFIC GROVE ART CENTER Year Founded: 1969 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 1 paid, 25 volunteers Budget: $56,000 (831) 375-2208 pgartcenter.org BIG IDEA: Last year’s MCGives! donations fueled the launch of Pacific Grove Art Center’s first annual Monterey County Arts Expo, held in September 2025. This event focused on premiering the work of young filmmakers and documentarians, with additional exhibitions of experimental artworks. Donations this year help the Big Idea grow, improving the technology needed for the event, including website development and audio-visual equipment. It also supports maintenance of PGAC’s signature public art shows, which are called augmented reality projection mapping, or “lightcasting.” While PGAC regularly rotates the artwork on its walls, the organization needs excellent technology to reach viewers and offer innovative new installations. “Art plays an unique role in the city’s civic environment by allowing local artists the opportunity to create, share and network. Interactive workshops, rotating exhibits and hands-on classes for members of the community of all ages are the threads that weave a community together.” -Sam Al-Maqtari PALENKE ARTS Year Founded: 2018 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 20 paid, 55 volunteers Budget: $850,000 (831) 899-9909 palenkearts.com BIG IDEA: Palenke Arts is a bustling multicultural arts center in Seaside with Big Ideas for the future, like the launch of the next phase of its state-ofthe-art arts center at Seaside High. In the meantime, Palenke Arts hosts 26 weekly multicultural arts classes and presented dozens of concerts and community festivals last year. Not to mention the newly launched Palenke Teen Arts Center, where teens experiment with audio production classes, mural projects, Latin jazz classes and poetry workshops. “Palenke Arts has brought a world of music, dance and art that is vibrant, diverse and filled with the sounds and rhythms our son never experienced before. Classes are taught by exceptional teachers and are made affordable so any person can participate. This is especially helpful for our family, as our son is able to participate in classes which we ordinarily couldn’t afford. Feeling part of this community that has welcomed him and being involved in the arts through these classes has enriched his life immeasurably. Thank you, Palenke, for all you do to bring joy, friendship and culture to our community.” -Anonymous parent 46 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com ARTS & CULTURE DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM YOUTH MUSIC MONTEREY COUNTY Year Founded: 1988 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 14 paid, 127 volunteers Budget: $588,000 (831) 375-1992 youthmusicmonterey.org BIG IDEA: Youth Music Monterey County (YMMC) represents the full spectrum of youth music. From a student’s first notes to performing in advanced ensembles, YMMC nurtures creative expression for more than 350 youth from nearly 40 schools across Monterey County. Students begin in entry-level Orchestra in the Schools and South County Strings and progress to Honors Orchestra performances on stage at Sunset Center. Donations help support YMMC’s Big Idea commitment to every student, offering tuition assistance, subsidized lessons and free instrument rentals. “The euphoria of making music at YMMC has never left me, despite the years that have passed since graduation. It was at YMMC that for the first time, I understood that I was taken seriously as a musician. Here, I became aware of the joy and responsibility of artistic ownership. After my time at YMMC I became a conductor, put through the paces at Juilliard, Oberlin and even the New York Philharmonic. Despite the stature of the musicians that I’ve been around, my experience at YMMC persists as the standard for dedicated and meaningful music-making. As the artist I am now, it is not so much the correct pitches or timing that make the experience worthwhile, but the care and presence demanded by each musical moment—and it is the greatest lesson I take from YMMC each and every day.” -Alan Truong SPOTLIGHT “Through this festival, young participants learn that their voices matter.” -Roxanne O’Weger, SpectorDance
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