U.S. Rep. Panetta Announces $100,000 in NEA Grants For Four Santa Cruz County Art and Music Organizations

SALINAS, CA – Today, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced that four Santa Cruz County arts programs received federal grants totaling $100,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Arts Council of Santa Cruz County received $20,000, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music received $30,000, Kuumbwa Jazz Society received $20,000, and Museum of Art & History at the McPherson Center received $30,000. Rep. Panetta has repeatedly worked with the NEA to support arts learning and teaching, affirm and celebrate the Central Coast's rich and diverse cultural heritage, and bolster local community efforts to broaden their artistic and musical offerings.

"The Central Coast is known for our talented artists and musicians that contribute to our local culture, tourism, and economy," said Rep. Panetta. "I'm glad that the NEA is doing its part to support these four vibrant art centers here in Santa Cruz County. I look forward to securing further federal support for our local businesses and organizations while partnering at all levels of government to bolster the Central Coast's position as a leader in the arts."

"We are thrilled the National Endowment for the Arts recognized the value in our proposed "Nexus Santa Cruz" project," said Robb Woulfe, executive director of the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH). "The funding will allow us to continue to grow the quality, relevance, and impact of public art experiences throughout Santa Cruz County. Curated to align with historical narratives that speak to the multicultural underpinnings of our community, the artworks in our "Nexus Santa Cruz" project will increase access to high quality, thought-provoking, and relevant works while facilitating a greater understanding of our shared history."

"The National Endowment for the Arts has supported the artistic work of Kuumbwa Jazz for many decades," said Tim Jackson, Co-Founder of Kuumbwa Jazz. "To receive validation from our nations' highest level of government is both gratifying and empowering. It gives us confidence and financial security to present the most creative work possible and to keep the jazz flame glowing on the Central Coast of California!"

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