Santa Monica’s First Art of Recovery Projects Come to Life to Connect the Community through the Arts
October 27, 2020 10:41 AM
Caption: Artist Molly Ellis paints k-rails for Main Street’s al fresco dining experience. Photo provided by artist Molly Ellis.
SANTA MONICA, California –– As part of the City of Santa Monica’s Economic Recovery Task Force, Cultural Affairs has launched a new Art of Recovery initiative to harness the power of the arts in the City’s economic, community, and health recovery efforts. Inspired by the WPA-era’s Federal Art Project, this initiative will fund artistic works and creative projects that will strengthen and connect Santa Monica.
Art of Recovery is launching with a pair of projects at some of the City’s most notable locations, Main Street, Santa Monica Pier, and Downtown. Local artists will transform the plain k-rail concrete safety dividers that line Main Street’s al fresco dining and retail experience into colorful works of art to create a vibrant destination and corridor. To celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, Santa Monica Pier and Downtown Santa Monica will feature larger than life sculptures of La Catrina, the grand dame and iconic holiday figure, by Los Angeles-based artist Ricardo Soltero from Saturday, October 31, through Monday, November 2. Come take a look on the Pier and Third Street Promenade this weekend. Throughout the coming year, additional projects across the City will be announced and unveiled on a rolling basis.
La Catrina sculptures by artist Ricardo Soltero. Photo provided courtesy of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
“The arts have the power to transform our City and communities during these uncertain times,“ noted Shannon Daut, City of Santa Monica Manager of Cultural Affairs. “Artists and creatives can develop solutions that are inventive, compelling and engaging, and we want to provide them with the space, flexibility and support as we work together as a community to safely reopen and rebuild.”
Projects funded through Art of Recovery will focus on three main priorities: economic recovery, community connectedness & restorative justice, and public health & safety, with the goal of creating lasting change in the community’s health through vibrant public spaces. The program aims to strengthen the local network of artists, nurture connections between artists and other sectors, and build cohorts of learners focused on integrating the arts and artists into community efforts. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in meetings to learn together and collaborate on the approach to accomplishing the work.
All Los Angeles County-based artist collectives and artists at all stages of their career, as well as businesses and nonprofits with an official address within Santa Monica city limits are eligible to apply. Businesses and artists can apply with a proposal collaboratively or independently, and Cultural Affairs can provide matchmaking to connect artists, business groups, and community groups. Submissions will be reviewed and implemented on a rolling basis through June 30, 2021.
For more information on Art of Recovery and to submit a Letter of Intent, please visit santamonica.gov/arts/artofrecovery. To receive notices of arts opportunities from Cultural Affairs, such as programs like this, fellowships, residencies, calls for proposals, and more, sign up at bit.ly/ArtSaMoOpportunities, and click on ‘Artist Opportunities’. Santa Monica remains committed to the health and wellness of the community and is taking extra precautions to ensure the community feels welcome and safe. When visiting Santa Monica, face masks are required and please practice social distancing. Art of Recovery proposals must adhere to the County of Los Angeles Public Health safety guidelines that are in place at the time of the application.
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About Santa Monica Cultural Affairs
Santa Monica Cultural Affairs brings the City’s art scene to life for residents and visitors by supporting engaging and accessible cultural events for all ages throughout the year. Cultural Affairs nurtures local arts organizations, promotes artist engagement in the community, and is the steward of the City’s public art collection. They also provide grants to local arts nonprofits and individual artists, as well as hosting a number of artist residencies at the Camera Obscura Art Lab and Annenberg Community Beach House, enriching Santa Monica’s reputation as an international cultural destination. santamonica.gov/arts | Facebook
About Santa Monica Shines
Santa Monica Shines is a communications and outreach effort focused on accelerating a safe and healthy economic recovery and return to business. The partnership of residents and community stakeholders includes City of Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., Main Street Business Improvement District, Montana Avenue Merchants Association, Pico Improvement District, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica Pier Corporation, Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, and 18th Street Arts Center.
To assure the public that businesses are following health protocols and are prepared to engage with customers, Santa Monica Shines offers businesses a free COVID-19 Assurance Program with resources to navigate the changed business environment and help them implement LA County Department of Public Health Reopening Guidelines. For more information visit santamonica.com/shines.
Media Contact
Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov