Teen Arts Mentorship Program

In its 18th year, The Teen Arts Mentorship Program offer in-depth arts enrichment for aspiring visual arts and writing students who are seriously considering pursuing advanced study and careers in art and literature. The Arts Fund's mentorships have helped hundreds of Santa Barbara teens produce advanced work for college applications, gain practical expertise, and secure professional references to help them take their talent to the next level.

Mentorship students work in a small group with a master artist or writer in various locations around Santa Barbara. They produce portfolio-quality work, learn presentation and exhibition techniques, and explore career opportunities with visiting artists and writers from the community. In 2012, the first ever SUMMER Mentorship Program was established introducing an intensive, three week program with classes in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking.

Santa Barbara County students ages 13 to 18 can participate. Students pay a materials fee ($100 - $250) to cover supplies and other class expenses if they are accepted into the program. For more information, please contact Catherine Gee at info@artsfundsb.org.

Community Gallery

The Arts Fund, in a concerted effort to expand services to the local arts community, welcomes artists of all media to participate in the exhibits and programming of the NEW Community Gallery.

The Community Gallery is soliciting exhibition proposals from the community in order to provide thought-provoking and exciting exhibits. Exhibition proposals are approved by The Arts Fund Program Committee and will be evaluated and selected based on the following criteria:

• Providing an opportunity for local artists to expand their professional exhibition experience and enrich the cultural platform in Santa Barbara
• Collaborations with a minimum of 2 local artists/community organizations to offer the widest inclusion of the public and create a synergistic forum for the advancement of the arts
• Offer educational opportunities for the community to better understand local art, artists, or artistic processes

Artists / Curators: Unsolicited proposals from artists and curators that support the gallery mission are welcome. Artists: please submit, by e-mail, digital images representative of your work, a brief artist statement, and a resume. Curators: please submit, by e-mail, a two-page proposal (form below) inclusive of images and text regarding the concept of the exhibition, and a resume. All proposals may be sent to Catherine Gee-info@artsfundsb.org. Please title subject of the e-mail "Community Gallery Proposal."

Download Community Gallery Proposal Form

2010 IAA Winners:
Dug Uyesaka, Hilary Brace, Linda Stewart-Oaten

Individual Artist Awards (IAA) Program

Through the Individual Artist Awards Program, The Arts Fund spotlights the outstanding achievements of Santa Barbara County artists who enrich the cultural and creative life of our unique region.

Four Individual Artist Awards are given annually. Winners receive a cash stipend, and when appropriate, a show in our gallery. IAA disciplines vary from year to year. The categories for 2012 are Fiber Art, Short Film, Stone Sculpture, and Watercolor.

If you are an artist, over the age of 18, who has resided in Santa Barbara for at least twelve months, please download an application below.

• 2012 IAA Application (Deadline: June 2, 2012)
• Download Press Release
• Past Winners of the IAA
• IAA Sponsorship and History