Local Company Honored by California Arts Council

Date: June 5, 2019

Poison Apple Productions Awarded California Arts Council “Youth Arts Action” Grant

State funds support community building and learning through youth-focused arts and culture projects

MARTINEZ, CA – Today the California Arts Council announced a grant award of $16,200 to Poison Apple Productions as part of its Youth Arts Action program.

Youth Arts Action supports projects for youth from infancy through age 24 that operate outside of school time, in artistic venues and community settings as well as on school sites. This program encourages relevant, dynamic, and innovative community building and learning through youth-focused arts and culture projects.

With support from the California Arts Council, Poison Apple Productions will expand and enhance our Apple Academy Educational Theatre Program, a graduated series of performance-based classes for youth and young adults from ages 2-24. This grant would help maintain the high quality of the programs and shows produced, hire quality Teaching Artists, provide scholarships for underprivileged youth, and support program internships.

“We are honored that the California Arts Council has honored us with funds for the second year in a row! In the past 5 years the Bay Area has seen a downsize of performing arts programs in schools by 70% and a closing of community theatres due to bankruptcy, rental costs, and dwindling audiences. We at Poison Apple have watched this sad decrease and are always working to continue to provide affordable, accessible theater for all. We believe that theatre changes lives. Theatre is our Tradition. We hope to pass that on. Thanks to the California Arts Council - we’re one step closer!” - Noelle Arms, Artistic Director

Poison Apple Productions is one of 244 grantees chosen for the Youth Arts Action program. The award was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council, with grant funds totaling a projected $24,508,541 for 2018-19, the highest investment in statewide arts programming since the 2000-01 fiscal year.

“Arts and culture are inextricably linked to our humanity,” said Nashormeh Lindo, California Arts Council Chair. “They serve as a universal touchpoint for understanding and addressing our societal issues—dismantling inequity, healing trauma, reframing justice, inspiring truth and shaping futures. The Council is humbled to support the vital work of [Your organization name] and its passionate efforts to make a better California for us all.”

To view a complete listing of all Youth Arts Action grantees, visit Arts.ca.gov/programs.

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About Poison Apple Productions: Our mission is to promote increased participation and understanding of live theater by providing affordable performing arts education and enrichment experiences to youth and young adults as well as affordable access to live theater entertainment for members of the community, including children, families, senior citizens and disabled persons.We are strongly committed to achieving these aims in a positive, supportive, respectful and safe environment that encourages learning, creativity and artistic self-expression for all participants regardless of age, ability, gender, ethnic or social background.

The mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California's diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services.

Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Nashormeh Lindo, Vice Chair Larry Baza, Juan Devis, Jodie Evans, Kathleen Gallegos, Jaime Galli, Donn K. Harris, and Louise McGuinness. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.