The El Dorado Arts Council advances cultural, educational and economic development by advocating and creating the highest quality art opportunities for residents and visitors. This mission is pursued in three ways: through arts incubation, arts education and arts presentation.

In order to acheive its mission, the arts council needs partners who also believe that the arts are integral to a vibrant community. These partners are often businesses and nonprofits that are already involved in the arts in some form, for example, a local theater group with an entrepreneurial idea. Sometimes a partner is more interested in the commerce stimulated by arts events and activities, for example, a chamber of commerce interested in monthly art walks will find this activity is a great way to draw shoppers downtown.

Arts incubation brings the arts to more places, to the benefit of more people.

The El Dorado Arts Council is a strong advocate for arts in education. The organization awards grants to encourage K-12 arts programs that are curriculum-based and sustainable, gives summer arts camp scholarships, and spearheads important art initiatives. These include Poetry Out Loud, a national initiative for high school student, and The Big Read, and initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to return reading to the core of American Culture.

Arts education engages the imagination and promotes creativity, discipline, and expression.

The El Dorado Arts Council's bieggest events of the year, Coloma Blues Live and El Dorado Hills Art & Wine Affaire, have become models within the county. Coloma Blues Live is a day-long blues festival with internationally renowned talent and an international audience. June 5, 2010 is the fifth annual CBL. El Dorado Hills Art & Wine Affaire, a collaborative effort, draws over 180 fine artists to show for 14,000 attendees on Mother's Day Weekend. The El Dorado Arts Council partners with others to present numerous small events over the course of a year.

Arts events stimulate audiences ... and commerce.

El Dorado Arts Council recently moved into a spacious location, ArtSpace at 459 Main Street in Placerville. ArtSpace gives a physical presence for the county's creative sector and a venue for activities and events.

EDAC is a nonprofit organization and El Dorado County's state-to-local partner of the California Arts Council. The El Dorado Arts Council is funded by grants, sponsors, donors, and earned income from events and the sale of art. A volunteer Board of Directors sets policy and direction, professional staff operate the business, and paid consultants provide specific expertise. We actively seek partnerships and alliances with other nonprofits, businesses, organizations, and individuals to increase the reach and accessibility of arts events and programs.

For information please see the EDAC web site, www.eldoradoarts.com or
e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .