Santa Cruz Parks - Activity Guide - Summer 2024

20 • Parks, Open Space & Cultural Services ARTS PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES Santa Cruz County Arts Commission The Mission of the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission is to promote, expand, and plan for the cultural life of Santa Cruz County and to bring artists and arts organizations together with government for the benefit of all county residents. Percent For Art Program: Building A More Beautiful Community In April of 1991, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors took action to establish a Percent for Art Program applicable to County construction projects. Up to 2% of the cost of construction of buildings and parks can be designated to fund the inclusion of public artwork. Projects currently in the works include the Live Oak Library Annex, the Heart of Soquel Parkway, the Recovery Center in Santa Cruz, and the Children’s Crisis Center. Upcoming public art opportunities include Juvenile Hall, Floral Park, and Hidden Beach. Pictured: Lea de Wit’s recently completed project at the new Aptos Library. Visit the Parks website for more information: www.scparks.com/Home/AboutUs/WorkWithUs/CalltoArtists.aspx Art Exhibitions Paintings, prints, crafts, photographs, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, drawings, and mixed-media works by local artists and crafts people are exhibited year-round at the County Government Center, 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz. Exhibits typically run for 2-3 months on the first and fifth floors. Artists interested in showing their work at a County facility (Government Center, Simpkins Swim Center, Health Services Agency, and others) can visit the Arts Council website at www.artscouncilsc.org for more information about the application process. Recognizing Local Emerging Artists Through the Spotlight Award, the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission publicly recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of excellence and creativity in their work, but who have not received widespread acknowledgment of their talent. This award recognizes younger artists as well as those who are discovering their artistic voice later in life. The work of 2024 awardees will be featured at an exhibition on the 5th floor of the County Government Center, Aug. 2 (First Friday) through Oct. 11. More information about the award and a list of 2024 recipients can be found at scparks.com. Poetry & Music in the Park Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while listening to live music and hearing local poets read from their work. This free series is hosted by County Parks and 2024 Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate Farnaz Fatemi. May 19 Location: Brommer County Park 1:30-3:30pm June 9 Location: Mesa Village County Park 1:30-3:30pm Visit scparks.com for more information about the poets and the musicians who will be performing