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Community Impact Orange County is a veritable hub of cultural diversity and artistic energy, <br />yet many local artists face financial and logistical barriers to pursuing their <br />ambitious projects. It has become cliche to say it, but these are indeed <br />difficult times. Art and community are twin forces that keep us grounded, <br />inspire delight, help us to reframe our surroundings, and encourage us to <br />be our best possible selves. <br />At LEVEL, we aim, in our humble way, to ignite creative moments both for <br />our visiting artists and the community members they teach, share with, and <br />befriend. By centering local talent this year, our residency offerings <br />strengthen our region’s creative economy, help boost otherwise neglected <br />practices, and foster a greater sense of belonging between us, our artists, <br />and the community at large. <br />This year’s Artist Grant will have a direct impact on our selected local <br />artists-in-residence. They will receive monetary support and a welcoming <br />live/work space to focus on projects of their choosing. W e seek especially <br />to assist artists who lack formal studio space for any of a number of <br />reasons – lack of available local spaces, financial or time constraints, or <br />life circumstances. By focusing on emerging and DIY artists, especially <br />those without formal training or education, we strive to ensure art truly is <br />for anybody and everybody. W e give direct encouragement to individuals <br />with ideas and voices that tend to be overlooked by mainstream and <br />established institutions. <br />Following the residencies, we will invite all three artists to LEVEL for a <br />casual gathering. Based on previous events, we estimate up to 50 <br />attendees, including community members, arts patrons, and local creative <br />leaders. This event will offer a platform for our artists-in-residence to share <br />their work, sparking conversations that bridge diverse perspectives. Our <br />property is well-suited for hosting, and attendees will also be permitted to <br />wander our gardens, trails, and farmland, feed our goats and chickens, and <br />enjoy nature. <br />Like all of our events, the gathering will be free and open to all, although we <br />will require a sign-up process to work within our practical constraints (such <br />as available parking) as well as to keep the proceedings intimate. Past <br />experience has taught us that events of smaller size create lasting <br />memories and durable friendships. W e hear frequent positive feedback <br />from previous artists-and-residences and event attendees alike, stories <br />about connections made and sustained. These relationships and <br />experiences are what binds us together as a community, and are boldly <br />enabled by Orange County Arts Commission funding. <br />Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9