About The Arts Fund
Our Mission
The mission of The Arts Fund: to create, support, and administer programs and projects that foster the arts for the people of Santa Barbara County; to act as a catalyst which maximizes the effectiveness of arts resources; and to nurture collaborative relationships with other arts organizations.
OUR HISTORY
For more than 40 years The Arts Fund has been an incubator for emerging artists in Santa Barbara County.
Located in La Cumbre Plaza, we offer the only Community Gallery in the Santa Barbara area, showcasing the work of local artists of all ages and identities from the Santa Barbara region.
We stimulate the expansion of creativity by offering art education, professional development and curatorial training in studio and gallery environments to emerging artists including teenage, university and postgraduate students. We connect the greater community to local artists, curators and sponsors to celebrate and enrich our community’s cultural experience and creative possibilities.
As a founder of the Funk Zone Art Walk and participant in the La Cumbre Plaza Art Walk, we are the epicenter of the cultural explosion in the Santa Barbara area, collaborating with local businesses, artists and organizations.
Our Team
Our Donors
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TIMELINE
1983
The Organization is Founded
Originally incorporated as The County of Santa Barbara Art Associates, The Arts Fund was created in 1983 as a private, nonprofit corporation to promote, foster, and support art activities in Santa Barbara County and to facilitate the works of the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission. The project was spearheaded by Shirley Dettmann and Joanne Holderman.
1983-1990
The Arts Fund Becomes Independent
In the late 1980s, The Arts Fund evolved into an independent organization with its current mission of offering art education, development and exhibition opportunities to aspiring artists and curators, as well as opportunities for Santa Barbara County residents to expand their appreciation for the wealth of local arts in our own community.
1993
Creation of the Teen Arts Mentorship Program
Initiated in 1993 with a three-year grant from the Irvine Foundation, the Teen Arts Mentorship Program is an in-depth arts enrichment program designed to expose teenaged artists to career paths in the visual, performance, multimedia, and literary arts. Working in small groups of 5-10 with creative professionals in our community, students develop specific art-making skills, learn exhibition techniques, and build strong portfolios, resumes, and professional networks to bolster college applications.
2015
Creation of the Public Art Program
2023
40th Anniversary of The Arts Fund
The Arts Fund celebrated its 40th anniversary by holding the live art event Monster Drawing Rally in September of 2023.
Our Founders
Shirley Dettmann, Co-Founder
