Arts, Culture and Creativity Month
In California, April is Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month! According to statewide advocacy organization Californians for the Arts, the month-long celebration “honors the resilience, resistance, and renewal that emerge when creative voices are valued and amplified.”
For nearly four decades, Carlsbad has demonstrated its steadfast commitment to arts and culture in our community. Carlsbad was the first city in the region to create its own arts office and has integrated arts and culture as a priority in the General Plan, City Council 5-Year Strategic Plan, and Arts & Culture Master Plan. By serving as a provider, connector, partner, and leader in arts and culture, Carlsbad integrates the arts into everyday life for everyone.
The city offers a wealth of opportunities to explore arts, culture, and creativity:
Experience the innovative photography of True North Photo Society in “alchemy + light” at the Cannon Gallery, on view now. Meet the artists at a free community reception, April 18, 3–5 p.m.
TGIF Concerts in the Park celebrates 39 years this season! It’s the essence of summer in Carlsbad, attracting more than 22,000 people to city parks to enjoy free live music as the sun sets from mid-June through mid-August. To explore sponsorship opportunities, visit the city website or contact Craddock Stropes, Cultural Arts Manager, at [email protected]. More free music is presented year-round in the Ann Kulchin Courtyard and the Schulman Auditorium. From acoustic folk rock to café-style jazz, and even a ukulele collective – there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Enjoy free screenings of independent, foreign, and fan favorite films every Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Schulman Auditorium. Experience high-quality sound, 4K projection, and comfortable seats—all without breaking your budget.
Get involved with Carlsbad Friends of the Arts, a nonprofit organization that supports the work of the Cultural Arts Department. It’s a fun way to connect directly with arts enthusiasts in the community who are dedicated to ensuring the future of arts and culture in Carlsbad. Visit their website at www.carlsbadfriendsofthearts.org.
Consider donating to the Carlsbad Library & Arts Foundation. Since its creation over 25 years ago, the Foundation has contributed about $2.5 million to support the facilities, events, and programs at the Carlsbad Libraries, Cultural Arts office, and the Learning Center. The foundation’s board of trustees is all citizen volunteers and welcomes new community members to join.
All events are free and open to the public. Dates, times, and additional program information are available at www.carlsbadca.gov/arts.