Arts Council of Mendocino County

07/22/2026

Part of an alarming trend for Northern California higher education in the arts…

The California College of the Arts will close in 2027, having sold its two Bay Area campuses to Nashville's Vanderbilt University.

06/30/2026

Shanachie Pub, located at 50 S. Main St. in Willits, is the 2026 arts champion in the business category. Shanachie Pub is the home for original music in Mendocino Co., offering 20 taps with micro brews. A community nominator shares: “Owner Pete Swanton has created THE place in Inland Mendocino County for musicians and fans of live music for more than two decades. Shanachie consistently draws bands from all over California and the Pacific Northwest, and their Open Mic night provides a forum for all types of musicians to test out new material and find new audiences. Musicians love him because he's fair and generous, and patrons love him because he and his booking staff know that variety is the spice of life. We all know there's not usually a lot happening in our small towns after 7pm, put at Shanacie Pub you can find live music and good feelings almost every night of the week. Pete has opened many businesses over the years in Willits and Laytonville including the Pub, Main St Music and Video, and Flying Dog Pizza & Records. All of these businesses have kept culture alive in Willits and have made neighbors friends.”

06/27/2026

Congratulations, Chris Pugh, 2026 Mendocino County Arts Champion Honoree in the Individual Category. Pugh is a photographer, writer, newspaper editor, and community arts organizer based in Ukiah, California. He is co-founder of Medium Art Center, a nonprofit community arts organization dedicated to supporting artists through accessible exhibitions, workshops, youth programming, and creative community events. In addition to his work in the arts, Pugh writes the personal-essay newsletter Incremental Outcome on Substack where he explores creativity, small-town life, photography, memory, and the complicated experience of trying to live intentionally in a messy world.
Pugh shares: “I’ve always believed that art matters because people matter. Small communities deserve spaces where creativity, experimentation, and connection can happen without barriers. I’m grateful to be part of a community that continues to support artists and the idea that culture is something we build together.”

06/26/2026

Pacific Textile Arts, 2026 Mendocino County Arts Champion in the Arts Organization category, is a volunteer-run educational nonprofit existing to support, share and celebrate the fiber arts. This year marks their 30th year!

a 501(C)(3) EDUCATIONAL NON-PROFT EXISTING TO SUPPORT, SHARE, AND CELEBRATE THE FIBER ARTS

06/26/2026

Congratulations, Dr. Wenbo Yin, 2026 Mendocino County Arts Champion Honoree in the Artist Category. Dr. Yin is a saxophonist, wind conductor, and musicians' wellness coach noted for his bold, versatile artistry across a variety of genres. He has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, collaborated with Grammy-winning artists, won the Beverly Hills National Auditions, and played principal saxophone with prominent groups. Dr. Yin is faculty and the director of Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Wind at Mendocino College.

As co-founder of the One Heart Institute, a nonprofit organization that integrates music, wellness, and holistic practices, Wenbo is dedicated to supporting the well-being of musicians and individuals alike. He has facilitated music and mindfulness workshops in the U.S., Bhutan, and China, and continues to develop the Tai Chi for Musicians workshop, offered at various universities and institutions. Wenbo is also a certified wellness provider for music industry professionals with Backline Care and supports wellness work with the Ukiah Parkinson’s group.

He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance, Wind Conducting, and Jazz from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). He also embarked on an extended journey of study in Tai Chi, philosophy, and contemplative practice at Dharma Realm Buddhist University in Ukiah, deepening the integration between music-making and inner cultivation. See One Heart Institute for upcoming opportunities to enjoy Dr. Yin and others live in concert https://www.oneheartinstitute.org/programs/virtuoso-concert-series

Arts Champions, nominated each year by community members and selected by the Arts Council board are recognized this year in the following categories: Artist: Dr. Wenbo Yin; Individual: Chris Pugh; Educator; Marilyn Bohlen Simpson, Arts Organization: Pacific Textile Arts, Business: Shanachie Pub, and Honorable Mention: the Lot on Main.

06/08/2026

An intensive workshop "Ignite Your Creative Business" is offered by West Business Development Center. Register at the link if this is for you.

If you’re an artist, you have a business. We want you and your art business to thrive.

04/09/2026

The Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship will regrant $240,000 among California-based individual artist and culture bearers. As the Administering Organization, Nevada County Arts & Culture will manage the application, review process, and professional development for this region.

The Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship provides unrestricted funding and state-wide recognition to California artists and culture bearers at key moments in their careers, elevating their capacity for continued contributions to the field and our state. Fellowships will be awarded based on artists’ creative vision, aesthetic excellence, and community engagement and social impact.

Please join us for the Upstate Individual Artist Fellowship Kick-Off Information Session on Thursday, April 9th at 1:30pm! This virtual gathering is designed to pull back the curtain on the application process and help you submit your strongest possible proposal. During this session, we will cover: tier selection, the social impact lens: do a technical walkthrough of the application and end with Q&A. The recording will be available on our website.
For more application details and information on how to apply, visit profile or upstateIAF.org.

Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship
Deadline: May 6, 2026, at 11:59pm PST
Grant Awards: $5,000 - $50,000*
More information: upstateIAF.org
*Upstate California Artists Only

MORE DETAILS IN THE COMMENTS

04/03/2026

The Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship will regrant $240,000 among California-based individual artist and culture bearers.

As the Administering Organization, Nevada County Arts & Culture will manage the application, review process, and professional development for the region including Mendocino County.

The Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship provides unrestricted funding and state-wide recognition to California artists at key moments in their careers, elevating their capacity for continued contributions to the field and our state. Fellowships will be awarded based on artists’ creative vision, aesthetic excellence, and community engagement and social impact.

For more application details and information on how to apply, visit upstateIAF.org.

Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship
Deadline: May 6, 2026, at 11:59pm PST
Grant Awards: $5,000 - $50,000*
*Upstate California Artists Only
Tiers: Emerging, Established, Legacy
More information: upstateIAF.org

03/16/2026

Nominate an Arts Champion! Survey closes April 30, 2026 (extended collection period)

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