Creative Pulse
A Baseline Study of Contra Costa County's Arts and Culture Sector
What is the Creative Pulse?
The goal of this report is to bring more visibility, resources, and connection into the Contra Costa County arts and culture community—an expansive tapestry of vibrant, diverse organizations, projects, artists, and leaders deeply embedded in their communities.
The report summarizes 18 months of research into the unique characteristics of Contra Costa County’s arts and culture sector. It is a work in progress that aims to create the first-ever inventory of the county’s vibrant arts organizations and projects.
Get to KnowContra Costa County’s Arts and Culture Scene
Contra Costa County is the third largest and fastest growing county in terms of population in the San Francisco Bay Area. Historically, Contra Costa Country experienced acute discrepancy in arts funding, which, coupled with the county’s size and demographic variance, has made it difficult to effectively leverage resources and investment.
Made up of unique micro-ecosystems, Contra Costa County is a collection of communities with their own unique characteristics, demographics, challenges and opportunities.
Key FindingsThe Future of Contra Costa County Arts and Culture
What is universal about Contra Costa County is the sense of entrepreneurship and resiliency among the artists and arts workers making their home in Concord, Richmond, San Ramon, Brentwood, and everywhere in between.
The key finding and recommendations presented in this report resulted from engaging with Contra Costa County's arts and culture communities that have been under-counted and under-funded with the goal of identifying opportunities to strengthen the arts & culture network across the county.
- Contra Costa County is ranked among the lowest in investment in arts and culture per capita in the state of California
- Over 300 unique arts and culture organizations operate in Contra Costa County
- 47% of identified organizations have an annual organization budget under $25,000
Take ActionFor Contra Costa County Arts and Culture
To achieve a more connected and vibrant Contra Costa County, the arts and culture organizations and workers need a greater investment of resources and need to be connected, not only to each other but also to their communities.
To achieve this, we must work in partnership to establish a county-wide infrastructure to support the vital contributions these artists and arts workers make to their communities. We also must ensure they have the support they need – funds, media coverage, and audiences for their work!
- Read the report
- Get on the Map! Check out the map of arts organizations in Contra Costa County
- Connect with ARTSCCC
- Go to an arts event! Tell your friends!
- Donate to your favorite CCC arts organization today
Read & Resources
Join us in building more sustainable support for artists and arts organizations which have been the foundation of the county’s diverse communities.
