NEVADA COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR TWO IMPORTANT NEW ROLES

Nevada City, CA – May 18, 2023.  Nevada County Arts Council is excited to announce two new roles which, together, will help the Council and its partners shape the future of the county’s two coveted California Cultural Districts.

Robin Davies of the Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce says, “Let’s talk about how our California Cultural District designations can work for everyone, not only because they shine a light on our stunning historic downtown areas as tourist destinations – but as places where any business would want to move, and any family would want to relocate to.”

The role of Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District Program Manager is the result of one-time funding from the State of California and follows five years of advocacy to invest in the fourteen inaugural California Cultural Districts, following new legislation in 2016 under Assembly Bill 189.

Says Eliza Tudor, Executive Director at Nevada County Arts Council: “Managed by the California Arts Council, and supported by the California Cultural Districts Coalition, the idea is to advocate among legislature for permanent funding, and funding to support new cultural districts that represent and support California’s diverse populations. We know that where culture thrives, so do people. The social and economic impacts of the arts are manifold but need baseline public funding to support sustainable community outcomes and growth. Our cultural district project managers will

Both Grass Valley-Nevada City and Truckee Cultural Districts have recently undergone a rigorous redesignation process, applying alongside twelve others for another five years of state recognition. With this recognition, for the first time, comes funding to support a full-time position in each district, plus monies for cultural planning.

Sean Grayson, City Manager for the City of Nevada City, says: “Our Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District Program Manager will bring a fresh layer of communication to assist our partners align with program goals. We are excited to explore how the three years ahead will impact our collective work, and the extent to which our businesses respond to opportunities to promote their district. I’m personally enthusiastic about how our districts might contribute to civic life and inspire public engagement.”

For Tudor, Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District spells resiliency and equity. “For us to be equitable and resilient, we must embrace the full diversity of our communities. Addressing this we look forward, long term, to developing new programs, policies, and practices that center equity and access. We see the role of program manager as symbolic of the organizational capacity we are building, and a path forwards for a new generation of leaders.”

Tim Kiser, City Manager for the City of Grass Valley, also speaks to the opportunities for collaboration that state recognition affords: “Together with our partners – Nevada County Arts Council, the City of Nevada City, both our Chambers and Grass Valley Downtown Association – we welcome applications from those with experience in incorporating community input in strategic planning, and experience working in government, business, and non-profit settings. All of us want the same thing – to create a thriving community that people want to visit, live and work in, without pricing out our residents or making them feel less than welcome.”

The Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District Program Manager will report to Nevada County Arts Council’s Executive Director, Eliza Tudor, supporting the work of multiple partners with a stake in the welfare of our twin city community. They will embrace a multi-sector approach to post-pandemic economic and social recovery, and will thrive in the promotion, elevation, and amplification of the creative sector to showcase the arts as a cornerstone of community development.

Tudor says: “We’re looking for a confident spokesperson for Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District. Someone with experience advancing access and equity in the arts, and someone who enjoys senior-level relationship building, advocacy and marketing. The Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District Program Manager will also play a key role at Nevada County Arts Council, working closely with the Truckee Cultural District Program Manager to ensure the maximum leverage these designations might bring, including long-term cultural planning.”

Nevada County Arts Council encourages applications from confident, team-spirited individuals with a strong background in the arts or non-profit sectors. Says Tudor: “An individual with coalition building experience and a willingness to pitch in, someone with incredible communication skills and a strong sense of marketing strategy. They must be a self-starter with great problem-solving abilities, yet a second to none team player.”

Nevada County Arts Council, by resolution of the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, is State-Local Partner with California Arts Council. A 501c3 not-for-profit organization, it facilitates collaborative efforts that promote and sustain the visual, literary and performing arts of Nevada County to advance the cultural, social and economic life of our community for all.

Nevada County Arts Council is administrative lead for Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District, which is a formal partnership between the City of Grass Valley, the City of Nevada City, Nevada City Chamber of Commerce and Grass Valley Chamber, together with our arts community, represented by the Council.

More information on the role of Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District Program Manager, and to apply, visit https://www.nevadacountyarts.org/jobs-in-the-arts.