Grass Valley’s arts scene featured in League of California Cities magazine

Our magazine writes regularly about the role of The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley as being a catalyst for the region’s thriving arts scene. Examples are:

•“Invest in Arts and Heritage in the Sierra Foothills”

•“Grass Valley: Winning Praise from Star Performers”

•“Downtown Grass Valley is a top destination for entertainment,” also published in the newly released Grass Valley Visitor’s Guide, which our magazine publishes for the Grass Valley Downtown Association. The article includes what celebrities who have played at The Center have to say, such as jazz legend Wynton Marsalis: “The vibe going on in Grass Valley is fantastic. We need more of this in our country.”

As a result, we were glad to see Grass Valley’s thriving arts scene, and its contribution to the local economy, featured in the League of California Cities monthly magazine, Western City. The excerpt of the article by Craig Watson, director of the California Arts Council, is here:

“Arts organizations can also play a role in attracting companies to a city, according to Julie Baker, executive director of the Center for the Arts, an independent nonprofit performing arts complex in Grass Valley (pop. 12,638).

“‘We do a lot with local employers,’ says Baker. ‘When people come to this community and see what’s happening, they can’t believe what we’re doing in a small town. Then they say, ‘I guess I could leave the city and live in a small community.’

“Grass Valley City Council Member Lisa Swarthout agrees with Baker. ‘When we’re working to bring jobs here, the arts and culture set us apart from other communities,’ she says. ‘The arts play a vital role in our local economy.

“The Center for the Arts really helped put Grass Valley on the cultural map with artists of high caliber. Local businesses benefit directly. People travel here to see a show or performance at the center and stay for the weekend in local inns. They eat in our restaurants and shop in the stores and galleries.”

“The center also offers classes, workshops and a dance studio, creating synergy in the community.

“Musicians Wynton Marsalis and Ted Nash recently performed in Grass Valley at the Center. Marsalis says, ‘We’ve played here several times, and we always have a great time.’ Nash adds, ‘It’s one of our favorite places — a community of people who really appreciate music.’”

The article is Western City magazine here.

(Photo: Stephen Schaffer)