Heart of Art—Data Is The Heart Of Arts Funding

This article was originally published on May 16, 2025 in the Ledger Dispatch Newspaper. Click here to view the artilce on the Ledger Dispatch website or read below.

By Meghan Joy “Mojo” O’Keefe

In the face of drastic budget cuts, small county arts councils are getting back to the heart of their work. At the Amador County Arts Council (Amador Arts), this means scaling back to the minimum activities of the county arts council work. Across the state, the county arts councils are funded to administrate the following:

1. Technical Assistance for artists and organizations
2. Data collection on the local arts sector
3. Countywide Poetry Out Loud competition

As part of our commitment to fulfill the scope of work as outlined above, Amador Arts periodically surveys the community at-large. The 2025 survey is anonymous and assesses the community’s arts engagement in ten short questions. Respondents of all ages and creative disciplines are asked to participate between now and September 30th by using the online google form (https://forms.gle/xUkkuiKe32mXTAF79) or by completing the paper survey. The online survey is designed to allow multiple responses so that more than one person per household may participate. The results will be conveyed to the California Arts Council, a state agency, in our October 2025 report.

The paper survey may be obtained by downloading it from our website https://www.amadorarts.org/survey/ and then printing it in the comfort of your own home. Alternatively, participants may call or write to Amador Arts to request a paper copy. Paper surveys may be returned via US Postal Service to PO Box 206, Sutter Creek CA 95685.

We have translators on our team—If you need a version in a language other than English, please let us know by emailing info@amadorarts.org.

 If you are disabled and need assistance completing the survey, please contact us at (209) 256-8166 or at the aforementioned email address.

By assessing the arts, cultural, and creative needs of our community, Amador Arts works to help California better-serve our community and communities similar to ours. The anonymous data is used by the state to develop new programs, services, and grants—ones like the grant that funds Music and Movement at First 5 Amador. Without data from Amador County, the state’s arts and cultural goals fail to represent the unique needs of our rural community, risking the invisibility of our voices.

Everyone is invited to participate in this important survey. Even if you dislike the arts or the arts council system, your input is still important. Your responses will be valued and useful to Amador Arts and the California Arts Council, which is specifically interested in developing deeper connections with rural creatives. Take advantage of this limited opportunity for the state to hear your thoughts on all things arts, culture, and creativity. Do not let this chance to share your voice pass you by!

Amador County Arts Council (501c3) was established in 1982 as a Designated Local Partner to the California Arts Council to catalyze arts, culture, and creativity for all people in Amador County by helping artists and arts organizations, collecting arts data, and administering the Amador Poetry Out Loud competition. Visit our website to learn more: amadorarts.org or contact us at info@amadorarts.org or (209) 256-8166.