For Immediate Release
STATE LEGISLATORS TO TOUR THE DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL ARTS DISTRICT DURING 2ND FRIDAY ART WALK ON OCTOBER 14, 2022
The California Arts Council receives $30 million one-time general fund allocation to support 14 existing cultural arts districts and expand cultural districts.
San Rafael, CA: On Friday, October 14, 2022, arts organizations in Downtown San Rafael will welcome State Legislators and local elected officials to tour the Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD), one of 14 designated Cultural Arts Districts in the State. This is a special night in downtown San Rafael that will include gallery openings, performances, and premieres coinciding with the monthly 2nd Friday Art Walk. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with local artists and business owners. The walking tour will demonstrate how the DSRAD is advancing equity by unifying, activating, and celebrating our diverse community through arts and cultural collective impact.
The DSRAD is located along the spine of Fourth Street in San Rafael. The arts district provides a unique place to create and appreciate arts and culture – San Rafael arts partners provide programming for people to come together, make connections, and get involved in the larger community. The district’s anchor partners include Art Works Downtown, California Film Institute, Youth In Arts, City of San Rafael’s Falkirk Cultural Center, and the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District. In addition to the five primary arts partners, there are dozens of arts related businesses and nonprofit arts organizations in the arts district, and throughout San Rafael.
During their tour, State Legislators will visit Art Works Downtown, the California Film Institute’s Smith Rafael Film Center, City of San Rafael Falkirk Cultural Center, Marin Society of Artists, and Youth In Arts.
“We are excited the State of California has recognized the Downtown San Rafael Arts District for its unique character and vibrancy,” said Councilmember Eli Hill. Additionally, Mayor Kate Colin said, “San Rafael’s incredible arts and cultural organizations offer opportunities to bring our community together to celebrate this truly special city. The DSRAD leverages the arts to promote equity, inclusiveness and encourages community conversations.
“Art Works Downtown is honored to work in collaboration with San Rafael stakeholders to support the Downtown San Rafael Arts District,” shared Art Works Downtown Executive Director, Elisabeth Setten. “We are fully committed to leveraging the economic power of creative arts placemaking while, at the same time, recognizing that arts uplift our spirits and soothe our souls.”
DSRAD will be one of eight state designated cultural arts districts visited this October by Senator Ben Allen (D-Los Angeles), Chair of the Joint Committee on the Arts and Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-Oceanside), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism & Internet Media, along with other state senators and assemblymembers.
The California Arts Council received a $30 million one-time General Fund allocation, to be spent over three years, to support the existing 14 cultural districts and to expand the cultural arts districts’ programs to serve traditionally underserved communities.
“The DSRAD is a diverse arts destination in Marin County, and we are thrilled that it continues to be recognized as such,” said Morgan Schauffler, Director of External Affairs at Youth in Arts, a DSRAD stakeholder. “We look forward to welcoming our state legislatures to tour a few of the city’s many unique arts organizations, who’ve kept our community creative and connected in a challenging time.”
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