Arts in California Parks Grants Program – Planning & Development Track is sponsored by Arts in California Parks (California State Parks). Supports project planning and development for art and cultural installations in California parks, including public space revitalization.

Grants Program | Arts in California Parks Arts in State Parks Program Arts in State Parks Program The Arts in California Parks grant s program activates local parks through community-centered art and cultural experiences that foster creativity, connection and a deeper relationship to California’s natural and cultural landscapes.

Now in the third year of a three-year pilot initiative, Arts in California Parks grants program has invested $5. 4 million since 2024 to support 61 projects statewide – $2. 8 million awarded to 31 grantees in its first year and $2.

6 million to 30 grantees in the second year. In the third year, the program anticipates awarding an additional $2. 6 million to support new implementation projects across California.

Together, these projects transform local parks into vibrant, welcoming spaces where art, culture and community come together – celebrating local histories, amplifying diverse voices and creating meaningful experiences for residents and visitors alike. Artist Clay River collaborates with Ink Dwell Studio on a mural installation focused on the restoration of Mariposa Creek, the future site of the residency program.

Photo by Cara Goger, Mariposa Arts Council. Application opens Monday, Feb. 9 All applicants must first submit a LOI, which provides an overview of the proposed project and partnership.

The LOI helps streamline the application process and ensures alignment with program goals and eligibility requirements. LOIs will be reviewed to assess program fit and eligibility. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application with detailed project plans, budgets and required documentation.

Learn more about the 2026–27 grant cycle, eligibility requirements, the LOI process and what makes a strong implementation proposal. The 2026–27 grant cycle marks the final year of the Arts in California Parks three-year pilot initiative. For this cycle, only Implementation grant proposals will be accepted .

Planning and Development grants will not be offered, as the remaining pilot timeline does not support project development phases. Grant Term: 12 months (October 2026 – September 2027) Objective: Support organizations that are ready to deliver community-centered art and cultural programs in local parks through strong, well-established partnerships. Who is Eligible to Apply?

501(c)3 organizations, California Native American tribes, native 7871 organizations and trusts, fiscally sponsored community organizations, community foundations and government agencies, excluding California State Parks and federal lands. Not sure if you meet the minimum requirements? Visit our Resource Hub to verify your eligibility.

How does Arts in California Parks define “local park”? The Arts in California Parks grants program fosters community connections to California’s diverse cultural history and natural areas beyond state park boundaries.

Eligible projects will help enhance connections to local cultural history, local parks, open space or natural areas through community events, programming or installations that help to build sustainable community connections, health and well-being. Eligible projects must be open to the general public .

Projects must be located on land that is owned or managed by a local city, county, park or community service district, land trusts, regional park or open space district, nonprofit organization or foundation or any other entity other than federal and state agencies. Both indoor and outdoor spaces can be considered.

Additionally, school property is considered a park when there is a joint-use agreement and park signage indicating the public is welcome to use a designated outdoor area, such as a schoolyard, for recreation during appropriate hours such as after-school, weekends and summer. Resource Hub: Access essential tools, FAQs and guides for crafting a successful letter of intent and application.

2026-27 Regional Map: Grants will be awarded to at least two top-ranked projects per region to ensure statewide impact. Artist Directory : Explore artists available to collaborate on grant-funded projects. Promotional Toolkit: Help spread the word about this grant opportunity.

Tuesday, Feb. 9 – Friday, March 13: Letter of Intention phase opens Tuesday, Feb . 17, 1 p.

m. PT: Information Session Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Tuesday, March 10: Weekly virtual office hours for applicants Friday, March 13, 5 p.

m. PT: Letter of Intent application deadline June 2026: Invitations sent to approved LOI applicants to submit full proposals October 2026: Grantee announcements RIPE Area-The Art of Native Plants Festival (American River Conservancy-2024 grantee). Photo by Parks California.

Women in Dialogue – Reclaiming Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE SLA-2024/25 grantee). Photo by Parks California. Meet our 2025-26 Grantees From large-scale performances to culturally focused installations, this year’s grantees provide opportunities for residents and visitors alike to engage with the arts while deepening their connection to nature and local history.

2025-26 Implementation Grantees Angels Gate Cultural Center Sustainers of Life, Contemporary Native Art Exhibition & Public Programming Opening October 9, 2025, Sustainers of Life is a multi-week contemporary art exhibition at Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro, featuring new work by 5-8 Indigenous women artists.

The exhibition will explore historic and ongoing issues impacting Native communities, particularly Native women, and will be accompanied by public programming that promotes healing, truth and cultural connection.

Timed with the Many Winters Gathering of Elders — a four-day Indigenous-led cultural event attracting 1,500 visitors — the exhibition will engage 1,500 elementary students through the center’s Arts Exploration Field Trip program. Additional programming will include artist talks, film screenings, a basket-weaving workshop and family art activities.

Located in Angels Gate Park, the center serves as a vital hub for community-based arts in South Los Angeles, fostering empathy, understanding and connection through art that honors Indigenous voices and the cultural significance of California’s parklands. For more information, visit www. angelsgateart.

org APAPA (Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, Community Education Foundation) Roots & Resilience: AANHPI Youth Mental Wellness Through Culture, Art, and Nature Roots & Resilience: AANHPI Youth Mental Wellness Through Culture, Art, and Nature , is a 2026 initiative addressing mental health challenges among Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth.

The project will create six seasonal Roots & Resilience Community Days, offering wellness workshops led by culturally competent practitioners. These workshops will integrate traditional AANHPI healing arts, such as forest bathing, Tai Chi, ho‘oponopono, Tibetan sound therapy and Pacific Islander land and ocean rituals, alongside music, movement and nature-based creative expression.

Activities will build cultural identity, reduce stigma and foster belonging. Grounded in research showing that culturally responsive, community-led programs strengthen resilience, this initiative reimagines parks as healing spaces where art and nature converge, youth voices are centered and visitors experience cross-cultural education in mental and behavioral wellness. For more information, visit www.

apapa. org Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture Filipino Arts in Parks in SoCal For more information, visit www. filamartsla.

org Art, Nature and Flourishing in the California Foothills Balanced Rock Foundation’s Art, Nature & Wellness program is an intergenerational, place-based initiative in the Sierra foothills blending creative practice, nature connection and wellness tools. Designed with young adults in mind, the project features two components: a three-week immersive cohort for young adults and four public art and culture workshops open to all.

The cohort, hosted in March, includes modules on wellness without walls, creative expression for growth and environmental stewardship, with optional yoga teacher training and wilderness first aid certification.

Public workshops, led by regional artists, highlight Indigenous and place-based practices like basket weaving, nature journaling and visual storytelling, with cohort participants assisting to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing. A new outreach and enrollment specialist will lead relationship-based recruitment, prioritizing historically underserved youth.

The program aims to nurture personal growth, emotional well-being and career pathways while strengthening community connections among artists, educators and youth advocates. For more information, visit https://www. balancedrock.

org/ Blue Sky Sustainable Living Center Resilient Cuyama Drama in the Park Resilient Cuyama Drama in the Park is a free, year-long arts program in New Cuyama that will produce two original community theater performances.

Led by Blue Sky Center in partnership with Cuyama Valley Recreation and Park District and PlaceBase Productions artists, the program will engage residents across generations through two 12-session theater cycles in fall 2025 and spring 2026. Productions will be site-specific, developed with local artists and community members and performed at park locations including Montgomery Hall and outdoor spaces throughout town.

Building on previous collaborations like Superbloom! and the Cuyama Drama Club, the program continues efforts to enhance local parks through art. Community workshops in areas like set-building, costume design and songwriting may also be offered.

S upported by schools and local partners, this initiative will celebrate Cuyama Valley’s unique identity, promote creative expression and strengthen community through inclusive storytelling and place-based performance. For more information, visit http://blueskycenter.

org Hope Rising: Esperanza Park Cultural Celebration Cathedral City will launch a community-led public art initiative to activate Esperanza Park, its newest and largest park, located in the historically underserved Dream Homes neighborhood. This predominantly Hispanic, working-class community has long faced challenges related to disinvestment and lack of resources.

Named “Esperanza”, meaning hope, the park represents a renewed commitment to equity, resilience and cultural pride. The project, called Hope Rising , will develop a series of murals along a 3,000-foot park wall, created through four city-hosted events featuring food, music, performances and resident participation.

Professional artists will guide the collaborative mural-making process, celebrating the heritage of the neighborhood’s Hispanic and tribal communities. The Desert Recreation District will support with programs, including art classes, readings and family-friendly activities.

By transforming public space through cultural expression and community engagement, this project fosters belonging, improves park safety and honors the generational history and diverse identity of Cathedral City. For more information, visit https://www. cathedralcity.

gov/ General Vang Pao Memorial Statue and Mural General Vang Pao Park in Merced will be transformed into a culturally themed community space honoring the Hmong people and General Vang Pao. Located on nearly nine acres near Fahrens Creek, the park will feature a memorial plaza with a statue and mural celebrating General Vang Pao’s legacy and the deep roots of the Hmong community in the region.

The City of Merced has worked closely with Hmong residents to ensure culturally appropriate design elements, native plantings and symbols. Planned amenities include an all-inclusive Aletha June playground, walking paths, shaded picnic areas, interactive art, native flora and public restrooms.

The park will serve as much-needed recreational space in an underserved area that currently lacks parks, while also continuing to function as an overflow basin for flood control. This one-time project aims to celebrate cultural heritage, enhance community access to green space and provide inclusive outdoor amenities for all residents. For more information, visit http://www.

cityofmerced. gov EcoArts of Lake County, through the Middletown Art Center, will lead Rooted in Place , a public art initiative activating four county-managed parks in Lake County. The project includes three murals near Clear Lake and an interactive sculpture at Middletown Trailside Park, each honoring local ecology, cultural heritage and tribal history.

In partnership with tribal departments, schools and youth organizations, the project will engage local youth in design, mentorship and artmaking. Public art days will invite community members to contribute through painting, mosaicking and workshops led by culture bearers. The sculpture at Trailside Park will commemorate recovery from the 2015 Valley Fire and support education on fire resilience and Indigenous land practices.

Designed to foster environmental awareness and cultural connection, the project strengthens community bonds while celebrating place-based identity and artistic collaboration in this under-resourced rural region. For more information, visit http://middletownartcenter.

org Arts and Cultural Programming at FRLT’s Sierra Valley Preserve and Nature Center The Feather River Land Trust will launch robust public programming, developed with community partners, grounded in three program pillars: Indigenous Peoples, Children and Family and Nature-Based Art.

In collaboration with Maidu and Washoe tribal members, FRLT will co-create events highlighting traditional foodways, plant medicine, arts, dance and history, including seasonal foraging, acorn processing and cultural construction projects like earthen ovens and traditional dwellings. Some events will be private tribal gatherings followed by public programs.

Family offerings include twice-monthly art and nature workshops for youth, a Kids Nature Journaling Club and a summer family campout. Nature-based art workshops will feature willow crafting, plant-based dyeing, plein air painting, botany walks, music, poetry and art shows in partnership with local artists and Plumas Arts.

Through these activities, FRLT aims to foster cultural exchange, deepen ecological understanding and strengthen community connection to the preserve. For more information, visit http://www. frlt.

org Fern Street Community Arts, Inc Neighborhood Tour 2025: Circus, Puppetry & Parades in Parks Fern Street Circus will present its Neighborhood Tour with 16 free live circus performances and parades in parks across underserved neighborhoods in San Diego.

Running from October 2025 through June 2026, the tour brings high-quality, family-friendly entertainment directly to local communities, using circus arts to promote joy, cultural connection and community engagement. For more information, visit https://www. fernstreetcircus.

com Mariposa County Arts Council, Inc. Mariposa Creek Parkway Artist-in-Residency The Mariposa Creek Parkway Artist-in-Residency program is a one-year pilot led by the Mariposa County Arts Council in partnership with the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, Sierra Foothill Conservancy and Mariposa County Planning Department. Artists will be based in a public park that serves as both a wildfire mitigation zone and cultural corridor.

Building on a robust planning phase, the program offers stipends, housing and studio space to three residency types: Visiting Artists, Local Artists and a year-round Cultural Residency designed and governed by the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation. Residents will create public engagement experiences while supporting ecological restoration, cultural revitalization, and community well-being.

The program prioritizes cultural sovereignty, cross-sector collaboration and inclusive access, aiming to model how parks can serve as living systems of care, culture and creativity. Outcomes include deepened public connection to the land, elevated tribal leadership and scalable tools for integrating arts into park planning. For more information, visit http://www.

mariposaartscouncil. org McKinleyville Community Collaborative, DBA McKinleyville Family Resource Center We Help Each Other: Representing Tradition in a New Community Space For more information, visit http://www. mckfrc.

org Mid-City Community Advocacy Network The Ground Up project will create and install two public art components at Henwood Park: an extension of the Memoria Terra public art project, culminating from a five-week 2026 Youth Art Fellowship in which fellows assist in fabrication and installation; and a crowdsourced tile mural, with painted tiles contributed by community members of all ages.

The mural will be professionally finished and installed by a licensed contractor, then unveiled alongside the Memoria Terra extension at a public celebration. Developed through extensive youth and community engagement, the project reflects City Heights’ cultural diversity and builds on the success of Memoria Terra , enabling more youth to see their poetry embedded in the environment.

Ongoing outreach, advocacy and coordination with the City and SD Arts & Culture Commission will ensure smooth implementation, while fostering park revitalization, civic pride and long-term community investment in Henwood Park’s cultural and physical transformation. For more information, visit http://midcitycan.

org Outside Arts: Light and Dark Located on Wiyot land, Outside Arts: Light is a year-long series of seasonal arts engagements designed to deepen community connections in Arcata’s parks. Led by Playhouse Arts, the program offers two weeks of creative workshops, performances and gatherings each season, exploring sound, light, movement, visual arts and language.

Activities include weaving, storytelling, movement choirs, shadow puppetry, guided night walks, skywatching, Día de Muertos celebrations, environmental soundscape recording and family-friendly art events.

Inspired by the city’s network of parks and trails, the project emphasizes intimate, neighborhood-based experiences that foster cross-community collaboration and collective memory, culminating in a spring spectacle at Carlson Park in Guidin’i.

The initiative partners with local artists, community groups and the City of Arcata, aligning with the NEA Big Read to celebrate creativity, cultural traditions and shared public spaces year-round. For more information, visit http://www. playhousearts.

org The Queer Surf Art Series will host eight events across California’s Central Coast, Mendocino and San Mateo County, combining surfing and queer-centered performance art workshops. Each event includes three hours of ocean recreation for LGBTQI+ participants, followed by an inclusive art workshop open to all, including non-surfers.

The program aims to help queer individuals build a sense of comfort and connection with coastal nature while fostering broader community engagement with queer art. By creating welcoming spaces for creative expression and outdoor activities, the series fosters lasting community bonds and a deeper appreciation for both nature and queer culture across the state. For more information, visit http://www.

queersurf. org San Joaquin County Office of Education Durham Ferry Art & Heritage Festival The Durham Art & Heritage Festival will be a three-part event series at the Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center in spring 2026, combining environmental restoration with community arts and cultural celebration.

Centered around the creation of a “Living Sculpture” by the Watershed Sculpture team, the festival will feature artist-led workshops, interactive exhibits and live performances that highlight diverse cultural traditions including Mexican, Filipino, Latino, Asian and First Peoples. The first two events will involve the community in building the sculpture, blending art and conservation through hands-on participation.

The last event will serve as a culminating celebration, offering performances, cultural activities and educational workshops that connect ecological awareness with cultural heritage. Designed to engage families, youth and the broader public, the festival promotes environmental literacy, sustainability and community identity through immersive, outdoor arts experiences that evolve with the natural landscape.

For more information, visit https://www. sjcoe. org/ Tahoe Truckee School of Music Cultural Music Series in the Parks The Cultural Music Series, led by the Tahoe Truckee School of Music in partnership with the Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District, is an eight-month program celebrating Hispanic/Latino and Native American musical traditions.

Taking place from February to September 2026, the series will feature eight free public concerts, alternating between the two cultures, and one youth-focused event. Performances will include traditional and contemporary music, dance and storytelling in public venues, like the Community Arts Center Amphitheater and Truckee River Regional Park.

Designed to foster inclusivity, representation and cultural appreciation, the series supports the Latino and Washoe tribal communities whose heritage is rooted in the region. This planning phase will finalize performer selections and event logistics, with strong local support and established partnerships in place.

By centering cultural expression in public spaces, the project aims to strengthen community ties and provide residents and visitors alike with meaningful, accessible arts experiences. For more information, visit https://www. tahoemusic.

net/ Shakespeare in the Park, Sacramento and Placer Counties In 2026, the Take Note Troupe will produce Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew through the lens of South Asian culture and dance with up to three performances at Rocklin Quarry Park, three performances in Folsom at the Folsom Amphitheater and two performances at Fair Oaks’ Fair Oaks Park Bandshell from May to June.

Take Note Troupe is the only performing arts company in the Sacramento and Placer regions that performs Shakespeare in its entirety on an annual basis, at no cost to the public. Moreover, they bring Shakespeare to the people in their local parks. For more information, visit http://takenotetroupe.

org Redlands Eco Arts Community Home (REACH) REACH is a community-centered arts and environmental education hub based at Sylvan Park in Redlands, with a satellite program at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. The program will host eight artists and eight writers for month-long, environmentally focused residencies, during which each will create work off-site and lead public art sessions.

Offerings include professional development for artists, public workshops on soil health, composting and water conservation and monthly art engagements ranging from theater to hands-on creative activities. A community garden — featuring native, edible and medicinal plants — will support artmaking, ecology and collective gardening.

The project culminates in a public exhibition with the Redlands Conservancy, a print publication and a documentary video. Long-term goals include site renovations for ADA-accessible studios, artist housing and a creative marketplace. REACH addresses critical community needs by blending art, ecology and cultural history, fostering a sense of belonging, revitalizing public spaces and building a stronger local creative economy.

For more information, visit http://www. theartlands. org Roots & Rhythms at Clinton Square Park: Cultivating Community through Arts and Nature Trybe seeks to activate Clinton Square Park’s revitalized community center and greenspace through year-round, art- and nature-based programming for Oakland youth and families.

Serving low-income, violence-impacted communities, the project includes four areas: a youth-led garden and a large cultural heritage mural; a two-week summer art camp focused on nature and sustainability; 16 weeks of free multicultural art classes in dance, martial arts, visual arts and media production, including “Shadow Movements”, a storytelling program for immigrant and refugee youth; and two public cultural showcases featuring performances, garden tours and local art exhibits.

Led by partners like ARTogether, AYPAL and community artists, the project integrates cultural heritage, environmental connection and creative expression. Through hands-on workshops and collaborative events, it fosters healing, pride and community engagement in a neighborhood deeply affected by instability and disinvestment. For more information, visit http://www.

oaklandtrybe. org Reclaiming Our Sisters Everywhere (R. O.

S. E): South LA The ROSE Memorial will be a circular, double-sided monument in Martin Luther King Jr. Park, South Los Angeles, honoring more than 200 missing and murdered women and girls. Designed with a tranquil seated female figure, ceiba tree branches symbolizing resilience and a rose motif, it will become part of the City’s permanent civic art collection.

The project has engaged community members, built partnerships with LA Commons and KAOS Network and empowered ROSE Youth Ambassadors. Events included site blessings, memorial tours and participation in the Day of the Ancestors Festival. This next phase will include six engagement activities, including cultural ceremonies, storytelling and a Women’s History Month tribute, culminating in a September 2026 unveiling.

Public artist Keith Greco has joined the team, donating his expertise in large-scale fabrication to significantly enhance the project’s capacity to create a lasting space for remembrance and healing. For more information, visit https://rosesouthla.

org/ 2025-26 Planning and Development Grantees Broad Room Creative Collective Sacramento North Highlands Mutual Aid Fair and Mural Project This project will activate Freedom Park in North Highlands with a community-designed mural and a one-day mutual aid fair focused on creativity, resource-sharing and connection.

Centered on inclusivity, the project will engage families, youth, artists and underserved residents through free art activities, skill-building workshops, music exploration and access to local services. A large-scale mural on the park’s basketball court will celebrate the neighborhood’s cultural diversity and be created collaboratively with local artists and residents.

The mutual aid fair will feature hands-on stations, creative expression and a shared meal to foster community bonding. During the planning phase, the team will engage residents and partners to shape the event, ensuring it reflects the unique identity and needs of the North Highlands community.

This project aligns with the goals of the Arts in California Parks grants program by celebrating heritage, strengthening community ties and using art to promote well-being and cultural pride. For more information, visit https://broadroom.

org Crescent Moon Theater Productions The Hidden Network is an immersive arts experience that transforms redwood forests in Marin, Eureka and Big Sur into live theaters, converging science, Indigenous wisdom and art.

Inspired by the forest’s underground mycorrhizal network, the project explores themes of connection and reciprocity through three components: a self-guided audio tour with reflections from ecologists and Indigenous knowledge-keepers, site-specific live performances featuring dancers and musicians and interactive spaces for community reflection.

Designed for people of all backgrounds and abilities, the project invites participants to rediscover their relationship with nature. Collaborations with local parks and organizations, including Bioneers’ Indigeneity Program, ensure cultural authenticity and meaningful engagement.

Through storytelling, technology and performance, The Hidden Network fosters a deeper understanding of the natural world and our place within it, offering a transformative experience that honors both ecological science and ancestral knowledge. For more information, visit http://www. crescentmoontheaterproductions.

com Hijos Del Sol Arts Productions Re-Create Salinas: Arts in the Parks “Re-Create Salinas: Arts in the Parks” is a citywide initiative bringing free, hands-on arts programs to 10 public parks across Salinas over 20 weekends in 2026. Focused on underserved areas like East Salinas, the project will offer rotating art workshops, pop-up installations and environmental learning activities designed for families, youth and residents.

Each park will host three art activities using clean, salvaged materials from the Monterey Regional Waste Management District, reinforcing sustainability. Activities include street art, mosaic-making, eco-puppetry and portrait drawing, with programming shaped by community input. Led by Hijos del Sol and youth mentors, the project promotes intergenerational creativity and access to the arts.

Supported by the City of Salinas Parks & Recreation Department, the initiative aims to transform neighborhood parks into vibrant, inclusive hubs for cultural expression and environmental awareness, strengthening community connections and enhancing public spaces citywide across the city. For more information, visit https://www. hijosdelsol.

org/ Imperial Valley Equity and Justice Coalition Expanding the Cultural Hotspot in Imperial Valley’s North End This project will transform parks in Calipatria into vibrant public art spaces that reflect the rich cultural and social narratives of the Imperial Valley. Through murals, sculptures and interactive installations, the initiative will address social issues, promote environmental justice and provide relief from extreme heat.

Community workshops will guide the creative process, ensuring the art reflects local voices, while educational programs and guided tours will engage residents and visitors. Focused on historically marginalized communities, the project also provides professional opportunities for local artists.

Located near the Salton Sea and proposed lithium sites, Calipatria is at the center of regional transformation, making this a timely effort to promote healing, connection to nature and equitable development. Building on the “Better to Light a Candle” initiative, this project uses public art as a tool for empowerment, cultural expression and lasting community impact. For more information, visit http://ivequityjustice.

org/ Meiners Oaks Park: Abandoned property turned vibrant park Meiners Oaks Park is a grassroots effort to transform a long-abandoned commercial lot in Meiners Oaks, Ventura County, into a vibrant, nature-focused neighborhood park. With no existing park, Meiners Oaks Park is partnering with local officials and residents to create a space where families can gather, children can play and visitors can connect with art and nature.

The park will feature original sculptures, a mural painted by schoolchildren celebrating local ecology and a quarter-mile, ADA-accessible path lined with native plants. Interactive play areas will encourage imagination and nature-based exploration for kids. Culturally significant elements, including a Chumash plant garden with site-specific art, will honor the region’s heritage.

Every feature, from cyclist rest stops to pet amenities, will be designed to foster joy, healing and community connection. This project reflects the belief that public art and access to nature can transform neglected spaces into sources of pride and stewardship. For more information, visit http://www.

imaginemopark. org Mesa Grande Indian Housing Authority Hallyeyaaw Lane Park: Native Arts & Heritage Space Hallyeyaaw Lane Park: Native Arts & Heritage Space will transform the only tribal housing community park on the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians reservation into a vibrant center for Indigenous art, culture and storytelling.

The project will plan and design a space featuring an interpretive trail with native plants used in traditional basketry, artist-designed signage, a performance amphitheater and a hands-on arts workspace. Guided by tribal cultural leaders and Indigenous artists, the project will foster cultural revitalization, environmental restoration and community connection.

Oversight will be provided by the Mesa Grande Indian Housing Authority, with cultural programming led by MGBOMI. Planning activities include finalizing concept designs, engaging artists and cultural leaders, community input sessions and securing necessary permits.

Once complete, the space will serve as a sustainable and evolving tribute to Indigenous heritage, offering ongoing opportunities for education, artistic engagement and cultural celebration within the broader California parks landscape. For more information, visit https://www. mesagrandeband-nsn.

gov/ This project will create guided “art walks” in local parks and outdoor spaces, blending nature exploration with live performances from Yáamay: An Anthology of Feminine Perspectives Across Indigenous California . Led by poets, singers and actors, these immersive walks will feature artistic “pause points” where participants experience poetry, songs and storytelling that connect with the surrounding landscape.

The walks welcome all ages, encouraging deeper connection with Indigenous stories and celebrating the intersection of art, land and culture. Each walk aligns excerpts from Yáamay with natural themes such as rooting, dormancy, cultivation and blooming. The project also will include educational materials and partnerships with Indigenous artists to ensure authenticity and inclusivity.

With support from the Arts in California Parks grants program, all artists will be compensated, and the program will be designed for repeat performances across multiple locations, honoring the land’s original stewards through meaningful artistic expression. For more information, visit https://newvillagearts.

org/ Public Art and Conservation Tributes (PACT) This project is a step toward transforming Samuel Ayers Park into a vibrant hub for art, community and environmental stewardship. Led by the Tehama Conservation Foundation, the initiative blends public art with ecological engagement through the Public Art and Conservation Tributes program.

A technical advisory committee of artists, educators and civic leaders will guide the development of inclusive, place-based experiences rooted in local culture and conservation. Adjacent to Dog Island Park, a critical fish habitat slated for restoration, the site offers unique opportunities for creative engagement with local ecology.

By merging arts and conservation, this planning and development project rekindles appreciation for Samuel Ayers Park and empowers the public to take part in its ongoing care by bridging past and present, people and place, through immersive, community-driven programming. For more information, visit https://www. tehamaconservationfund.

org/ Ink People Center for Arts & Culture Wusatoumuduk: We Make It Burn Wusatoumuduk: We Make It Burn is a new multimedia play created by an inter-tribal team in Humboldt County, based on the vision of Wiyot Tribe member Marnie Atkins. It explores the role of cultural fire in California Native land stewardship and the challenges of restoring “good fire” within settler-colonial systems.

The story follows a young Wiyot woman navigating fire ecology through both academic and cultural lenses, supported by her family and traditional stories brought to life through shadow play.

Co-directed by Michelle Hernandez and Zuzka Sabata, and produced by North Coast Repertory Theatre in partnership with the Wiyot Tribe and Ink People Center for Arts and Culture, the play has completed staged readings and is now preparing for an outdoor tour in 2026 to at least 10 regional locations.

Featuring an all-Indigenous team, free shows and post-performance discussions on cultural fire, the project unites environmental education, storytelling and Indigenous community leadership. For more information, visit https://www. inkpeople.

org/ “Exploring themes of