About Us

Arts4MC: Enriching Lives Through The Arts

Welcome to the Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC). We believe that the arts are the heartbeat of a vibrant society.

Our mission is to champion the arts to enrich our community—through education, healing programs and support for local creatives, nonprofits and cultural organizations.

By removing barriers to creative expression, we ensure that every resident has the opportunity to experience how art uplifts and connects our community.

Explore the highlights of our programs below

Artists in the Community & Schools

Providing arts education and creative workshops

Grants & Scholarships

Providing financial support to artists, arts nonprofits, and students

Events

Bringing creativity to the community

Public Art

Showcasing local talent and bringing vibrant art to public spaces

Professional Support

Supporting artists with professional growth and creative opportunities

Poetry

Celebrating literary excellence, amplifying local voices, and inspiring creative expression

The Community We Serve

Monterey County is home to over 435,000 residents, with a diverse population that includes approximately 59% Latino, 30% White, 5.7% Asian, and 2.7% Black individuals. About 51% of the population speaks a language other than English at home, with 84% of those speaking Spanish. The county is divided between the picturesque coastline and expansive farmlands, a contrast often referred to as “the lettuce curtain.”

Key Statistics About Monterey County

Population: Approximately 430,723
Poverty Rate: 14.7%
Districts: Five supervisorial districts including Salinas, North County, South County, Seaside/Marina, and Monterey/Big Sur
Geography: 3,322 square miles encompassing twelve cities and sixteen unincorporated areas
Education: 27,819 K-12 English learners out of 77,000 students; over 9,400 students qualify as homeless and 72% receive free or reduced meals

At Arts4MC, we are passionate about our mission and dedicated to making Monterey County the best place to live, work, and visit. We acknowledge that our work takes place on the ancestral lands of the Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Nation, and we strive to create an inclusive workplace that celebrates diverse voices and connects us with the communities we serve.

Accessibility

Arts4MC is committed to accessibility and inclusion in all aspects of our work, from governance to programs to operations. We strive to ensure that everyone has access to the arts, including people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and at-risk youth. We work to assist individuals and organizations in making their programs and facilities accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities, while connecting them with resources for access to the arts.

Arts4MC continues its efforts to constantly improve the accessibility of its site and services in the belief that it is our collective moral obligation to allow seamless, accessible, and unhindered use for those of us with disabilities.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

The Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) provides a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace – one where all employees, board and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or identity, religion, socioeconomic status, education or disability, feel valued and respected.

We are committed to a non-discriminatory approach to provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement throughout our organization and programs.

We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.