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Santa Ana Arts Commission highlights grantee projects ranging from a micro gallery to youth photography and DJ education
Summary
At the Nov. 20 Arts and Culture Commission meeting, four Investing in the Artist grantees presented completed projects: a freestanding 'little art gallery' in Plaza Calle Cuatro, a dance/dance‑gallery residency, a youth photography program for justice‑impacted youth, and a DJ education initiative funded with a $14,000 award that reported several hundred student engagements.
Four grantees of Santa Ana’s Investing in the Artist program presented project outcomes and community impacts during the Nov. 20 Arts and Culture Commission meeting.
Margo Aleman described a small metal 'free little art gallery' installed in Plaza Calle Cuatro: a weathered black‑patina metal cabinet on a base that holds rotating artwork and art supplies for community use. Aleman said Parks & Recreation approved the location, the opening at the November art walk drew hundreds of participants, and roughly 200 pieces of art were created during the launch event.
Nancy Worzer Brady of Backhouse Dance presented CoLab, a residency and performance collaboration with OCA and visual artist Brennan that included open rehearsals, community workshops and school assemblies. Brady said the project connected dancers to visual art, helped draw new visitors to downtown and produced student programming that reached an estimated 650 students during school assemblies.
Project Kinship (Eunie Hur and lead photographer Quinn Sturtevant) described an eight‑week photography program for youth impacted by incarceration, gangs and violence that paired professional photographers and mentors with court‑approved exhibits; the group will open a youth photo exhibit Feb. 7 at the Santora Arts Building during the Santa Ana Art Walk.
Brian Chang, founder of Dance Music Initiative (DMI), said his nonprofit received a $14,000 award to run free weekly DJ classes (40 classes over the grant period). Chang reported more than 600 student engagements (about 100 unique students), eight instructors, four graduates who demonstrated core DJ skills, and roughly $3,900 of grant funds spent directly with a Downtown Santa Ana host business (Pizza Press). Chang said the program produced a documentary video and secured media exposure that led to school contracts and new teaching opportunities.
Why it matters: The presentations demonstrate the local arts grants’ direct community reach — from permanent small‑scale public art to recurring arts education for youth. Commissioners praised the projects’ accessibility and potential to bring foot traffic and business downtown.
What’s next: Commissioners and staff thanked the grantees; staff said new artist grant rounds and a professional development RFP will be released by the end of the month.
