In fulfilling our mission and vision, we take actions that express the following values:

The arts act as a societal cornerstone that brings people together and builds community. Arts and culture have a direct impact on the health, welfare, and economic well being of our community.
Arts education is an essential tool for healthy human development, core curriculum, and lifelong learning that must be available to all.
Diversity is embraced as a source of vibrancy for the community.
Development, preservation, and care of artistic resources, including our artists and art organizations, are central to social, educational, and economic growth.
Distribution of funds and services must be fair and transparent.

Our Story

Our community thrives from public support for creativity and the arts. To that end, we envision a community in which:

All lives are enriched by access to and participation in a diverse spectrum of artists, arts, and cultural experiences
The arts are woven into the fabric of daily life—promoting civic engagement, encouraging collective problem solving, and building bridges across cultures
The arts enjoy strong, sustained public support
The arts ecosystem reflects contributions from all of the area's diverse populations
Students are provided with quality arts education so that they can reach their full potential, including advanced education
Creative industries are recognized as crucial to the economy
Public and private resources for the arts increase and are sustained to more effectively serve the people
Artistic contributions mark the long-term legacy of the community