On Thursday, September 22 from 9–10:30 a.m., the Arts Council for Long Beach will host its annual State of the Arts event, and for the second year in its history, the event is in partnership with the Office of Mayor Robert Garcia.

“At last year’s event, the mayor announced major new commitments to the arts,” Griselda Suárez, executive director for the Arts Council, said. “Most significantly, he announced he would ask the city council to explore reinstating the City’s dedicated funding for the arts – a promise he made good on and that is now under study.”

This year, the event is extra special because it takes place on the Arts Council’s 40th Anniversary. “The Arts Council was formed on September 22, 1976,” Suárez said, “And we’re happy we can bring people together on our anniversary to celebrate the arts.” The event is also a time when the Arts Council announces new projects and partnerships.

The heart of the occasion is to recognize the extraordinary work of five individuals or organizations through its Annual Arts Awards: James H. Ackerman Arts Philanthropist, Arts Educator, Arts Volunteer, Arts Innovator and Economic Development Arts Trailblazer. The Arts Council will announce the five honorees at State of the Arts.

The event is free and open to the public and takes place at Liberty Art Gallery at 435 Alamitos Ave. in downtown Long Beach, a beautiful and historic space that used to house a tin shop. Live music by Long Beach gypsy jazz quartet Hedgehog Swing and a continental breakfast precede the announcements and award ceremony.

Admission requires an RSVP via email or phone: info@artslb.org, 562-435-2787.

This admission-free event wouldn’t be possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors: Port of Long Beach, Liberty Art Gallery, TGIS Catering, Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center/SMG, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Long Beach Transit, Downtown Long Beach Associates, interTrend, Yellow Cab Long Beach, Long Beach Community Foundation, Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, Cambodia Town Inc., East Anaheim Street Business Alliance/Zaferia and the Uptown Property Business Improvement District.

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