The Soledad City Council unanimously approved Wednesday Oct. 7, by 5-0, the acceptance of a $16,862 grant from the California Arts Council's Arts and Youth Program to implement a new free after-school arts program for children ages 6 to 10.
The initiative is set to launch during the 2026-2027 school year, providing local youth with access to hands-on creative workshops at Orchard Lane Park and the Community Center.
“We talked about how important it is for the City to be able to ensure that we're acquiring or submitting for these types of grants that are really instrumental for the City, given some of our budget challenges,” said Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez. “I want to congratulate our team and say thank you.”
The program will offer a wide range of art activities, including painting, drawing, mosaic art, and nature-inspired projects using materials gathered from the surrounding environment. These workshops are designed not only to nurture artistic skills but also to foster creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and communication.
Led by a professional teaching artist and supported by Parks and Recreation staff, the program provides a structured and positive learning environment tailored to the developmental needs of young children. In coordination with the local school district, outreach efforts will prioritize youth who might otherwise have limited access to arts programming due to financial or transportation barriers.
“This grant allows us to bring arts education directly to our children without any cost barriers,” said Soledad’s Parks and Recreation Director, Ana Ambriz.
Although the City initially sought $25,000, the awarded $16,862 will be maximized to deliver effective programming. Efforts are underway to raise an additional $8,000 to expand offerings, but the program will proceed regardless, scaled to available funds.
Program sessions are expected to begin in Fall 2026, marking a new chapter in Soledad’s commitment to youth development and community enrichment.
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