The Arts Council of Kern provides arts education, vocational support and enrichment opportunities
to residents of all ages and all abilities throughout the county.

Arts Education
   We provide art-assisted education for schools, after school programs, and life-long learning programs using the Young Audiences (YA) Arts for Learning Curriculum. The YA, curriculum uses the arts to teach all subjects and includes imbedded assessments. On the residency side of things, all of our Teaching Artists bring their arts programs to the classroom using Young Audiences Signature Core Services and evaluations.

Arts4All/Young Audiences

Arts as Vocation
   We support artists with special needs through the Kern Film Workshop and the Outside In programs. Outside In mentors artists with the guidance of teaching artists. Kern Film Workshop offers an outlet for learning and creativity through the multi-disciplinary medium of film. These programs are designed to teach and mentor, with vocational opportunities.

   The Outside In Project Artists in all disciplines work in teams to provide mentoring experiences to artists with developmental disabilities. Workshops run for varying lengths of time. Qualifying artists have the option of participating in one of several arts enterprises.

   The Kern Film Workshop A vocational training and enterprise development program for emerging film makers, based on Joey Travolta's Inclusion Film Company. The workshop has two cycles each year; one in the fall and one in the late winter/early spring. Program content is geared toward young adults and older. The KFW also has a special stand-alone summer session which is held the first two weeks of June and is open to all ages.

Arts Outreach

   We further our mission fulfilling arts needs in Kern County through many outreach programs and programs that support the creative economy. These programs include:

Artist Mentoring - With renowned artists on staff, we assist artists with the creation of their portfolios, pricing, and placing.

Creating Community The Creating Community uses the sense of community on 2 levels. Selected artists are part of a community that is mentored the first year then, they serve as mentors for another group the next year. On another level, the Creating Community partners with local organizations to use the arts unique ability to bring awareness to the social issue of that organization's mission. Most organizations are under-using visual cues in their marketing, whether due to inexperience or funding availability.

Exhibitions  Local artists submit artwork in answer to calls to artists. Selected pieces are exhibited at various collaborative community events or in the Younger Gallery. Last year, we had 16 exhibitions with approximately 6,300 patrons.

Publishing the Kern Arts Directory  Each year, we update and publish a listing of artists and arts organizations Kern County. This gives added exposure to the thriving arts communities that we have.

House Concerts  In the traditional manner, house concerts are cozy venues for live music and a truly unique way to connect to talented musicians. Each is hosted by a Bakersfield home-owner.  The 2011 House Concerts will have an added component as we ask the artists to stay over one more night for a Monday performance at one of the many underfunded schools in Kern County. We are still seeking funding for this Arts Education piece.  Approximately 320 people enjoyed the 2010 House Concert series.

Community Concerts  Bakersfield is a perfect stop-over point for musicians between Northern and Southern California or the Central Coast. Taking advantage of this, ACK has created a Community Concert series in partnership with a local mid-size venue. Approximately 500 people enjoyed these concerts in 2010.

Signal Box Program  This public art project employed former taggers to beautify the community. We will be expanding this program into outlying cities as well. Now, using the first generation artists as mentors.

ArtCare in San Joaquin Community Hospital  This program brings the arts bedside to those in various levels of medical treatment and looking for a holistic healing approach through the arts.

Walk for the Arts  We advocated all arts in Kern County through the first annual Walk for the Arts on May 15, 2010. This walk through Downtown Bakersfield's Arts and Culture District brought 300 people to 41 culture stops. Additionally, 30 organizations used the walk to independently raise money for their arts programs. We had our 2nd annual Walk for the Arts May 14th 2011. We our planing the 3rd annual Walk for the Arts March 17 2012.

Technical Training  We held professional development classes this year in fund development, grant writing, and an entire series on social marketing.

Community Grants  As the leading arts agency, we grant approximately $10,000 to smaller arts organizations each year. The Arts Council of Kern is a non-profit organization providing arts access, advocacy, and education for all residents of and visitors to Kern County. We are pleased to offer several community grants for arts organizations. The grants, up to $1,500 each, are intended to strengthen Kern County non-profit arts organization programs and performances. 

Click here to download 2012 RFP.

Click here for PDF Vers. 2012 RFP

    The ACK gratefully acknowledges the California Arts Council and the County of Kern for making these grants possible. Please contact Kari Hunter, Grants Administrator, with questions.

Tony Martinez Anti-Graffiti Project

The HEARTS Project

Artists interested in participating in the programs and projects of the Arts Council are asked to fill out an application form and attend an orientation session, which are scheduled throughout the year. Please call us at 661-324-9000 for more information.