New State Arts Grant Helps MoVal Turn Parks Into Creative Canvases by Stella Pierce - City News Group, Inc.

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New State Arts Grant Helps MoVal Turn Parks Into Creative Canvases

By Stella Pierce
Community Writer
12/11/2024 at 03:20 PM

Moreno Valley is a proud recipient of California’s first-ever Arts in California Parks Local Parks Grant Program, proving that the City’s parks are for more than just play—they are for paintings, performances, and parties too! Awarded by California State Parks, the California Arts Council, and Parks California, this prestigious grant will fund MoVal’s “Arts and Culture Celebrations,” a series of free events set to bring more music, art, and heart to our local parks.

 

“Being chosen from more than 220 applicants is a big win for Moreno Valley,” said Mayor Ulises Cabrera. “Thanks to this grant, and the integration of these events, our parks will transform into stages, galleries, and studios that bring our community’s rich diversity into full color for everyone to experience.”

 

The Arts in California Parks Local Parks Grant Program awarded $2.8 million across 31 organizations in the state, aimed at turning parks into pop-up hubs for public art, culture, and connection. Here in Moreno Valley, the funds will support the “El Grito” celebration and the MoVal Multi-Cultural & Arts Festival; events packed with cultural performances, live art installations, and hands-on activities showcasing the area’s creative flair and community pride. The arts programming will run through September 2025, inviting residents to enjoy and explore art from every angle.

 

“This grant isn’t just about adding a splash of color to our parks,” added Mayor Cabrera. “It’s about creating spaces where every resident feels seen, celebrated, and connected to our city’s heartbeat. These festivals will help us bridge cultures, generations, and neighborhoods with a whole lot of fun.”

 

The new grant program is highly competitive, with recipients chosen for their potential to spark creativity and community spirit. Moreno Valley’s events are part of this dynamic effort to help Californians of all ages discover the joy of art in the great outdoors. Our parks will become playgrounds for the imagination, featuring everything from music and dance to live art demos and interactive installations that honor the creative spirit of MoVal.

 

For more information on the Arts in California Parks Program, visit artsincaliforniaparks.org.

 

For more information on Moreno Valley’s Public Art program and resources, visit moval.org/art.

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