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Office of Cultural Affairs Overview

The mission of Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA), part of the Community Partnerships Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships, is to: promote broad community awareness of, access to, and education in the arts and the city's historic resources in Ventura; provide opportunities and support to Ventura artists and arts organizations; foster cross-cultural understanding; and support economic development and tourism, especially in the downtown core. The Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) is overseen by the Cultural Affairs Commission, a volunteer body of 7 members, created ijn 1994, that advises the Council on cultural matters. Commissioners are appointed directly by City Council. The Public Art Commission, made up of seven volunteer members, advises the Council on matters pertaining to public art. More Cultural Affairs history is located at the bottom of this web page. MAVericks arts contacts

  State of the Arts E-Newsletter

Click for to access all archived issues from January 2011 to present (2012)

2011 back issue PDFs: Jan-Feb  Mar-Apr  May-June  July-Aug Sep-Oct  Nov-Dec

SOTA is published bimonthly as an electronic newsletter by the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) to provide information on our community's many cultural activities and resources. It includes both feature articles on local artists and arts organizations as well as updates on OCA sponsored programs and services.

Children's Celebration of the Arts Educational Outreach

Professional artists visit classrooms during the school day and conduct a variety of workshops highlighting the art forms of world cultures in the months of April and May. Over the past two decades this program has reached over 90,000 elementary school students. Apply by February 10, 2012. Click links below for current class descriptions, artist biographies and a fillable registration form.

2012 Children's Celebration of the Arts Booklet (pdf)

2012 Children's Celebration of the Arts Registration Form (pdf)

While this registration form is a fillable pdf, please note that registration is mail-in only and cannot be submitted online.

Cultural Classes

The OCA provides a range of classes in the visual, performing, and literary arts, aimed at adults, children, and senior populations. Classes are held at the east-end Barranca Vista Center and selected elementary school sites. The program reaches over 6,000 participants yearly. 

Download My Ventura for a complete listing of classes in theater, dance, music, art, wellness and family events for all ages or click the Register Now link to sign up.

Get ArtSmart monthly cable magazine on CAPS TV

In April 2011, the City of Ventura Office of Cultural Affairs launched a new CAPS arts show called "Get ArtSmart" which airs on VTV Channel 15 with new segments produced each month. Hosted by Cultural Affairs Supervisor (and theatre director) Georgeanne Lees and co-host City Marketing Specialist (and poet) Richard Newsham, the show will highlight the creative people behind our city's vibrant art scene.

"The arts reflect the heart and soul of our Community, and we want to give the community the opportunity to meet the artists, musicians, producers, directors, writers, art organization executive directors, financiers, volunteers: the people who work tirelessly to enrich Ventura's cultural life," says Lees.

Watch “Get ArtSmart” on VTV Channel 15  or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capstvventura.  Get the full viewing schedule for future episodes at www.capstv.org .

For more information contact Office of Cultural Affairs Supervisor Georgeanne Lees at 658-4720 or glees@cityofventura.net.

Episode 1 (April, 2011) - features Cheryl Heitmann, Executive Director of the Ventura Music Festival; Eric Wallner, Creative Economy Specialist with the City of Ventura who is organizing “Ventura Music Week”; and Brian Perra, creator of “Local Rock Picnic: A Free Music Community Event.

Episode 2 (May 2011) - features Denise Sindelar, Manager of the Parks/Recreation & Community Partnerships Department for the City of Ventura, and local artist MB Hanrahan.

Episode 3 (June 2011) - guests are Marie Lakin, publicist  for the Westside ArtWalk and renowned artist, Hiroko Yoshimoto who is a featured artist for the Westside ArtWalk.  Additional guests include Chris Jay from the band  "Army of Freshmen" and Jodi Farrell from the band "Front Street Prophets" -- both groups are featured performers at the city's signature summer concert series, Music Under the Stars at the Olivas Adobe.

Episode 4 (July 2011) - discussion about the poetry scene in Ventura with four people instrumental in promoting literary activities for adults and children in our city.  Guests include Phil Taggart and Friday Lubina from the Artists' Union Gallery, as well as Marsha de la O and Margaret Travers who organize Ventura County's annual competitions for "Poetry Out Loud," the National Recitation Contest for youth presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and Poetry Foundation.

Episode 5 (August 2011)  topics include the California International Theatre Festival, Sept 13-15 at the Museum of Ventura County and the benefit concert for the Ventura Unified School District Arts Education Master Plan on September 10 plus the second plein air Paint Ventura event Sept 9-11.

Episode 6 (September 2011) features the Ventura Hillsides Music Festival on September 25, interviews with instructors of dance and theater Pam Cohen and Jeff Wallach, respectively, and Pier under the Stars Oct. 1 and the Designers Fashion Show & Costuming Marketplace on October 1-2.

Episode #7 (November 2011) features 2 great events celebrating the joys of reading and writing—the 5th annual Young Reader’s StoryFest on November 19 and the 4th annual Art Tales poetry and short story contest—with guests Patricia Lopez Ramos, Kay Giles and Tim Pompey.

Episode #8 (December 2011) Interviewed are two winners of the prestigious 2011 Mayor’s Arts Awards: Arts Educator Mary Perez, co-owner and founder of VITA Art Center, and Arts Leader Tim Schiffer, Executive Director of the Museum of Ventura County; both discussing their organizations’ outreach to the community.

Episode 9 Board members Bill Hendricks and Jane Peterson of the Ventura Film Society discuss its third season and move to the Urban Encore Center at 420 East Santa Clara Street. Music Director Miriam Arichea and VEP Board Member Adela Trainer talk about the VUSD student Festival of Talent on Feb 25. http://www.capstv.org/media.htm

Episode 10 City of Ventura Creative Economy Specialist Eric Wallner co-hosts with Office of Cultural Affairs Supervisor Georgeanne Lees as they discuss “Ventura’s creative economy” with guests Josh Addison, owner of Bell Arts Factory and Addison Ventura, and Dave Armstrong, executive director of Urban Encore and another non-profit, Cultivate Ventura.

Episode 11: City of Ventura Cultural Affairs Coordinator Kathryn Dippong-Lawson and dancer/singer/teacher Jackie Ringof discuss the Barranca Vista Family Festival in the Park event, the upcoming free Day of Dance workshops and the cultural summer camps opportunities. Rubicon’s actor/director Brian McDonald discusses the upcoming Rubicon season of theatre, and the Rubicon’ summer programs for youth.

Having trouble connecting? Click here for the CAPSTV streaming media page

Cultural Special Events

Festival of Talent - annual February showcase of visual and performing arts students from the Ventura Unified School District supported by faculty, parents, alumni and the community. Feb 25, 7p, tickets/info www.vep4vusd.org or call 805.641.5000 x 1550. Click for bilingual poster

ArtWalk - Galleries, businesses and sidewalks come to life with art exhibits that highlight Ventura's unique visual and performing arts community. Visit www.westsideartwalk.org/  for this annual event now called the Westside ArtWalk - Ventura's Art Evolution

The 4th of July Street Fair is a Ventura tradition begun during our nation's Bicentennial.

Music under the Stars in the Olivas Adobe Courtyard occurs summer Saturdays at twilight for current lineup.

Historic Ventura Walking Tour Guide (pdf) celebrates our city's downtown cultural district architectural heritage.

Cultural Funding Program

Created in 1993, the Cultural Funding Program annually awards grants to arts organizations through a competitive panel review process to support the goals of the 2005 Cultural Plan to: increase access to arts education programs for youth; increase the number of programs that celebrate Ventura's diverse community and rich history; and make the arts a major component of the community's fabric. For more information visit the Cultural Funding Program webpage.

Mayor's Arts Awards

In 2005 the Cultural Affairs Division of the City of Ventura, on behalf of former Mayor Brian Brennan, established the Mayor's Arts Awards to recognize the contributions to the cultural community by City residents, artists, educators, organizations and business leaders. For more information visit the Mayor's Arts Awards webpage.

VUSD Arts Education Master Plan

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Arts Education Master Plan was adopted in 2009 to ensure that the arts are an integral, sequential, interdisciplinary and equitable part of every student’s education to foster inspiration, creativity and a life-long appreciation of the arts. The plan is a partnership of the VUSD, Ventura Education Partnership (VEP) Arts Collaborative and the City of Ventura Office of Cultural Affairs in the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships. Read more about The Future of the VUSD Arts Education Master Plan (pdf).

Download the VUSD Arts Education Master Plan Brochure

Watch the VUSD Arts Education Master Plan Video

Public Art Program

Visit the Public Art Program webpages and its subections for

Public Art Projects

Active Art Projects

Arts Conservation Programs

Mural Design Guidelines and Other Public Art Opportunities

Percent for Art Program

The City's Percent for Art ordinance allocates 2% of qualifying projects from the Capital Improvement Program for the inclusion of public art. The program is overseen by the 7-member Public Art Commission, which sets policy and has approval authority over all projects conducted through the program. The program also includes the Municipal Art Acquisition program, established by City Council to document the history of visual art in Ventura by featuring and highlighting important works of art created by area artists. The collection provides increased access to artwork of high artistic merit and aesthetic quality through its display in the public areas of City Hall and other municipal buildings.

City Hall Galleries-Municipal Art Collection

The first and second floors of City Hall feature work from the Municipal Art Collection.

Click Municipal Art Collection brochure on an online guide to the collection.

City of Ventura Municipal Art Acquisition Program

In May of 1999, the Municipal Art Acquisition program was established by City Council to document the history of visual art in Ventura by featuring and highlighting important works of art created by area artists. The collection provides increased access to artwork of high artistic merit and aesthetic quality through its display in the public areas of City Hall and other municipal buildings. The Municipal Art Acquisition Committee, a subcommittee of the Public Art Commission, oversees the purchase of master works in a variety of artistic media. The Public Art Commission plans to expand the collection in future years through annual purchase of major artworks created by leading area artists.

Technical Assistance

Management assistance for arts organizations and artists. This ongoing program includes individual consultations with professional arts management consultants, workshops, and seminars. Services focus on addressing needs identified by the local arts community and providing useful research and information on national, state and local trends affecting the arts.

CREATING CALIFORNIA’S NEW ART CITY

Download the 2005 Ventura Cultural Plan (1.4 MB)

Visit the WAV Working Artists Ventura webpage for background on Ventura's largest intentional arts community.

Download the Historic Walking Tour Guide covering the Downtown Ventura Cultural District

"Weaving culture into every aspect of life"

Flash-forward ten years: to 2015. Downtown Ventura’s Cultural District is home to a lively center for the arts. Artists are residing in an innovative live/work space that is sensitive to their creative process and variable incomes. Arts education programs have been fully integrated into the curriculum of our schools and all children can explore their innate artistic talents. Ventura’s unique cultural heritage is celebrated by the community in festivals that reflect each neighborhood's character.

A fantasy? Not necessarily. All of these visions can become a reality when the goals of the City of Ventura Cultural Plan 2005: California’s New Art City are realized over the course of the next decade. The Arts have a positive impact on all aspects of our community, whether in the area of student achievement, public safety, economic prosperity or civic engagement. Read more about the Public Value of the Arts

Local Arts Organizations

Art Galleries, Studios & Museums

 

Click here for a Ventura Gallery & Studio List compiled by the Ventura Visitors Bureau in 2010. List also includes resources in neighboring cities.

Community Memorial Hospital Public Art Gallery
47 N. Brent St. Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 652-5011 - www.cmhshealth.org
The first floor public art gallery at Community Memorial Hospital is the result of a partnership between the City of Ventura, Buenaventura Art Association, the Leadership Ventura program of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce and Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation. All art on display is for sale and the proceeds go towards the maintenance of the program, local artists, the BAA and philanthropic support of the hospital.

Focus on the Masters
505 Poli St., Ventura CA 93001
Phone: (805) 653-2501 | www.focusonthemasters.com
Fax: (805) 653-2347
The goal of Focus On The Masters is to demonstrate the full significance of the arts to society by bringing highly accomplished artists to the forefront of the community. The objectives are to document these extraordinary people and their work through museum-quality photography, personal interviews and biographical research which encompasses the artist's experiences, artistic thought and development, and to utilize our ever growing resources for the benefit of both the artists and the public at large through educational outreach, lecture series, regular exhibitions and quarterly newsletters.

San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts

1141 E. Main St. Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 653-6100 | www.venturaarts.org
SBFA promotes the activities of our non-profit professional arts organizations through its website, including online exhibits of students and professional artists and a catalogue of youth arts education outreach programs. In the partnership with the City, it is leading an effort to create a Center for the Arts.

Albinger Archaeological Museum
113 E. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001
648-5823 | http://www.ventura.com/points_of_interest/archeosite

Site open by reservation only.

Performing Arts Organizations

New West Symphony Association
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite D,
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 | (805) 643-8646 | www.newwestsymphony.org
The New West Symphony produces a regular concert season, as well as its Musics Alive! series, which presents music from other cultures. It also provides many arts events and activities through its Symphony League, which has representatives from throughout the County.

Pacific Sound Men's Chorus
contact@rinconbeach.org | 1-800-353-1632 | www.PacificSoundChorus.com
The aim of Pacific Sound is to be a top level a capella chorus with a varied repertoire in a wide range of musical styles. The chorus performs regularly in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and typically travels to perform in a national or international venue each year. The chorus is affiliated with the Barbershop Harmony Society which offers coaching and competition that and allows the chorus members to participate in the highest level of competition. The chorus rehearses in Ventura and membership is open to all talented singers.

Performances To Grow On
201 Park Rd., Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 648-4767 | www.ptgo.org
"Performances To Grow On" is a nonprofit organization which presents performances and workshops that develop a better understanding of world cultures and a greater appreciation of the arts to the people of Ventura County.

Ventura Improv Company
34 North Palm Street, Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 643-5701 | www.venturaimprov.com
Ventura Improv Company (VIC) performs improvisational comedy in a competitive format. The award-winning group is in residence at the Livery Theatre and offers an ongoing workshops and performances. VIC regularly hosts state-wide improv festivals.

Ventura Music Festival
89 So. California Street, Suite D, Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 648-3146 | www.venturamusicfestival.org
The Ventura Music Festival takes place every year in early May, featuring
ten days of remarkable music, performed in intimate, historic settings
throughout the City of Ventura overseen by Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta.

Ventura County Concert Band
6256 Sutter St. Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 642-5871
The Ventura County Concert Band, under the direction of Larry Weiss, performs four times a year at the Ventura High School Auditorium. The members of the band include business people, teachers, engineers, architects, students, retired persons and homemakers.

Master Chorale of Ventura County
P.O. Box 7388, Ventura, CA 93006
(805) 654-0995 | www.venturachorale.org
With a Master Chorale, Master Singers Ensemble, and a children’s choir, the Master Chorale of Ventura County provides a 10-concert season for the community which encourages professionalism through quality programs featuring classical and contemporary vocal masterworks. They also produce recitals, special events, and other activities.

All American Ballet
1932 Eastman Avenue, #104 & #105
Ventura, CA 93003
650-6316
aphelic@aol.com
www.allamericanballet.org

Channelaire Chorus
P.O. Box 7881
Ventura, CA 93006
805-247-1990
www.channelaire.org
This award-winning chorus is a registered chapter of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances. The chorus welcomes enthusiastic women who love to sing.

Gold Coast Concert Chorus
PMB 217
1746F South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93003
675-4222 (tickets)
www.goldcoastchorus.org

Kingsmen Shakespeare Company
P.O. Box 1772
Thousand Oaks, CA 91358
(805) 493-3455
www.kingsmenshakespeare.org

Rubicon Theatre Company
1006 E. Main Street
Ventura, 93001
667-2900
www.rubicontheatre.org

Teatro de Las Am?ricas
P.O. Box 5184
Oxnard, CA 93031-5184
www.teatrodelasamericas.org

Ventura College Opera Workshop
4667 Telegraph Road
Ventura, 93003
654-6444 ext. 2968
www.operaworkshop.info

Ventura County Ballet
2750 E. Main St. Box 7
Ventura, CA 93003
653-2800 | http://www.balletacademyventura.com

Arts Education

California Poets in the Schools
PO BOX 2081
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
517-1807

Kids' Art
856 E. Thompson Blvd
Ventura, CA 93001
653-0817

Music 4 Kids
1255 Callens Rd., Suite A
Ventura, CA 93003
642-3800

Peace Thru Music
P.O. Box 4998
Ventura, CA 93007
805-647-6707 www.peacethrumusic.org

Peace Thru Music is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children by providing access to music education, music appreciation, and musical instruments. Peace Thru Music partners with school districts, communities, Boys and Girls Clubs, and similar organizations to obtain the resources necessary to provide the children in these programs with musical instruments and music education.

Cultural Support Organizations

California Literary Arts Society
P.O. Box 782
Ventura, CA 93002
805/643-3385
www.literaryarts-ca.org
The California Literary Arts Society presents writing and publishing seminars, children?s writing programs, and annual book festivals.

Experience Ventura
1068 E. Main St., Suite 225
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 653-5425
www.experienceventura.com

San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts
1147 E. Main St.
Ventura, CA 93001
653-6100
653-6060 (fax)
www.venturaarts.org

Seaside Highland Games
9654 Kessler Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311-5533
www.seaside-games.com

Ventura Chamber of Commerce
801 S. Victoria Ave., Suite 200
Ventura, 93003
Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-4 pm
676-7500
650-1414 (fax)
www.venturachamber.com

Ventura County Arts Council
646 County Square Drive, Ste. 154
Ventura, 93003-9066
Mon-Fri, 9 am-5pm
658-2213
658-2281 (fax)
www.venturacountyarts.net

Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau
89 S. California Street, Suite C
Ventura, CA 93001
Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-5 pm,
Sun 10 am-4 pm
648-2075
648-2150
www.ventura-usa.com

Visual Journalism (JV) Multimedia Workshop

On July 31, 2009 over 46 visual journalists and visual journalism students combined their efforts to document our local community and produce a multimedia project in cooperation with Brooks Institute of Visual Journalism and the City of Ventura. Details at http://www.vjworkshops.org.
All the stories in the completed multimedia project--steeped in the documentary tradition but using the latest technology for visual storytelling that combines still photography with video and audio components--can be viewed online at http://www.vjworkshops.org/?p=813.  

The Office of Cultural Affairs History

In July 2010, the Office of Cultural Affairs (formerly a division) became part of the new Department of Parks, Recreation & Communit Partnerships.

The City of Ventura Cultural Affairs Division (CAD) was established in 1992 as the Office of Cultural Affairs, as a direct result of the 1992 Community Cultural Plan. The Plan was formulated through an 18-month process, and involved over 200 citizens who served on eight task forces. The Plan presented a guide for development of the cultural community, with the active leadership of the Office of Cultural Affairs, which initiated numerous new programs to support local and regional artists and arts organizations.

The OCA (Office of Cultral Affairs) provides programs through both direct delivery and extensive collaboration with local arts groups and artists. Its direct programs include: special events, art and history tours, public art, educational outreach, art classes, grants, technical assistance, workshops, the “State Of The Arts” newsletter and more.

By 1998, the Cultural Affairs Division had fulfilled most of the recommendations of the 1992 Community Cultural Plan and took the final steps towards completion by commissioning the Downtown Cultural District Plan. Ventura’s historic downtown was officially designated the Cultural District as a result of this plan. The OCA continues to work on the development of the district, including facilities, activities, and marketing efforts.

The Cultural Affairs Commission, a body of five appointed officials that advise the City Council on cultural matters, was created in 1994 and provides oversight of the Division’s policies and programs. The Public Art Commission, made up of seven members, advises the Council on matters pertaining to public art.