PROGRAMS
ARTS Obispo's Arts in Education program raises and distributes funds and promotes events that enrich arts education in SLO County, including Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recitation scholarship contest, promotion of Innerspark, the California State Summer School for the Arts, and Arts Curriculum Assistance for low income schools. ARTS Obispo also works on resource distribution and arts education advocacy throughout the county year round as needed. For more information or how to be involved in Arts in Education in San Luis Obispo County, including volunteer opportunities, click here.
One of our most exciting programs is the annual Open Studios Art Tour. Spanning three weekends each October, the Open Studios Art Tour offers local artists an opportunity to open their doors to the public. For Tour visitors, it's a unique chance to see artists in their own studios, talk about their work, demonstrate their process, and explore the county from corner to corner. To learn more about the Tour, click here.
Take a peek at our Visual Artist Directory. The Directory is a wonderful way for artists to have an online presence, and buyers, galleries, and businesses to find local artists by medium or name. Kick up your heels and browse around, you'll be amazed at what you might find created here on the Central Coast. Stay tuned for the additional of new Performing and Literary Artist Directories, coming soon!
If you find yourself in San Luis Obispo on a Friday night, you may stumble upon our popular art walk, Art After Dark. The first Friday of each month, participating downtown businesses & galleries stay open late, hosting free receptions & art openings throughout the downtown area, with artists often in attendance. Check our ad in the New Times or visit our Art After Dark page for details on what's coming up!
First Saturdays: Wine & the Arts (FS) is held the first Saturday of every month, 5-8pm in the City of Paso Robles, California. FS promotes artists, galleries, wine tasting rooms, and other venues that showcase the arts. Check out our ad in the Paso Robles Press or visit our First Saturdays: Wine & the Arts page for details on what's coming up!
ARTS Space Obispo, a program that provides opportunities for visual, literary and performing artists and public access to the arts thanks to new county-wide, creative, cooperative ventures. Visit our Events page for what's coming up, or click here for more information on ARTS Space Obispo.
ARTS Obispo hosts a monthly roundtable, SLOCATS (San Luis Obispo County Arts Talk Sessions), for directors, board members, staff and volunteers from arts organizations to network and share information and support. Click here for more information.
The Ingrid Reti Literary Award provides $1000 annually to a San Luis Obispo County writer in memory of local writer and teacher Ingrid Reti in an effort to continue her work mentoring local writers. For more information on this year's poetry award, click here.
The Art in Public Places committee helps implement countywide policies for public art and assists the City of San Luis Obispo in commissioning and erecting art projects. For calls for art, current projects, and more information on public art, click here.
A valuable benefit for ARTS Obispo members is our Artist Opportunities email, featuring calls for artists, auditions, employment opportunities, workshops, classes, and even sales and discounts at local art stores. Join now to receive this info-packed email!
ARTS Obispo’s Mini Grants program provides financial assistance up to $500 to individuals of all ages to encourage creative opportunities and activities in the arts in San Luis Obispo County. Mini-Grants are awarded throughout the year on a case-by case basis with approval based primarily on the artistic merit of the proposal, need of the applicant and amount of money available for granting. Please download the Mini Grant Application/Guidelines here or contact ARTS Obispo for details.
Inspired by former local resident Ruth Fash, ARTS Obispo sponsors the Ruth Fash Memorial Lecture Series, lectures by a guest artist or cultural figure from outside San Luis Obispo County.
