Santa Rosa, CA  –  October 25, 2018  –  Creative Sonoma, a division of Sonoma County’s Economic Development Board, announces a new grant in continued support of Sonoma County artists who were affected by the Wildfires in 2017. The Individual Professional Advancement Grant (IPAG), established with the support of The California Arts Council, will allocate up to $5,000 each to individual creatives to help reestablish their careers.

Early after the fires Creative Sonoma had announced the Fire Relief and Response grants, which were issued to artists for their immediate recovery needs. The purpose of the IPAG is to build upon this work and to support artists in moving their careers forward. Funds from the IPAG can be used for activities that advance the creative individual’s ability to make, sell, exhibit, distribute or otherwise share his or her creative work.

“We recognize the vital role that our creative community played after the fires and its contributions to our collective healing,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisor James Gore. “These grants help ensure that Sonoma County will continue to be a place that embraces its creative heritage and pro- actively supports its artistic future.”

Examples of eligible activities for the grants include costs associated with: production, supplies and any material related to creation of artworks, products or services; promotion, distribution or exhibition including entry fees for juried shows, shipping costs, recording and publishing; and professional development including workshop and/or conference fees, in-state travel expenses and consulting fees.

The grant application is open to full-time residents of Sonoma County, age 18 and older, who can document at least five years of creative experience, financial need and physical loss due to the 2017 Wildfires. An applicant Q&A session is scheduled for Thursday, November 1, 2018 from 12:00-1:00pm or 5:30-6:30pm after which the application portal will open. An application workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14 from 5:30-7pm at the Creative Sonoma offices at 141 Stony Circle, Suite 110, Santa Rosa. The deadline to apply is Friday, December 14, 2018.

For guidelines detailing eligibility, and to apply, go to: www.creativesonoma.org/ipag. For more information, please contact Kristen Madsen at <u>kristen.madsen@sonoma-county.org</u>

Creative Sonoma, a division of the Economic Development Board, supports and advances the creative community of Sonoma County.

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