Plumas Arts – Inspiring Creativity, One Student at a Time Keeping the Arts Alive for 600 Students in 2025 – with Dreams to Reach 1,000+ in the Future
In a rural county where resources can be scarce, Plumas Arts stands as a beacon of creativity, opportunity, and community connection. For over 40 years, we have worked tirelessly to ensure the arts are not only preserved—but that they thrive—in every corner of Plumas County.
At the heart of our mission is the Artist in the Schools (AIS) program, a cornerstone initiative that has been serving the youth of Plumas County since 1989. This program brings professional teaching artists directly into local classrooms, offering hands-on experiences in music, visual arts, dance, theatre, and interdisciplinary arts.
In 2025, AIS will served over 600 students, providing creative enrichment and self-expression at a time when the need for connection, resilience, and inspiration is greater than ever. But we know the need—and the potential—goes even further. With your support, we aim not just to sustain this essential program, but to expand it to reach over 1,000 students across every public, charter, and underserved school in Plumas County in the years ahead.
Why Artist in the Schools Matters
● Creative Access for All: AIS brings high-quality arts education to every elementary classroom in the county, regardless of size or location.
● Confidence & Discovery: Students unlock their creative voices and engage in new forms of expression that build confidence and curiosity.
● Real Artists, Real Impact: Children learn from professional teaching artists—many of them local—who show that creative careers are possible and powerful.
Educators, artists, and families alike share the same message: this program changes lives. One teacher noted, “When Artist in the Schools comes in, the whole school lights up. It’s often the most engaging part of the year.”
More Than a Program—A Cultural Lifeline
Plumas Arts is proud to provide far more than just classroom programs. As the county’s local arts agency, we offer a robust slate of events, exhibitions, and opportunities that energize the region’s cultural life:
● Town Hall Theatre – Our community-run movie and performing arts theatre in Quincy, CA
● Words & Music – Monthly showcases for musicians, poets, and storytellers ● Gallery Exhibitions – Monthly visual art shows featuring regional talent ● First Fridays & Music in the Plaza – Downtown events that bring art and community together
● Mountain Harvest Beer Festival – Plumas Arts’ biggest annual fundraiser ● Wild & Scenic Film Festival – A celebration of environmental storytelling and action ● Art Barn at the Plumas-Sierra County Fair – An all-ages exhibit spotlighting The Lost Sierra’s artistic voices
All of this work—whether in schools, on gallery walls, or in our historic theatre—is powered by one mission: to make the arts accessible, vital, and celebrated throughout Plumas County.
Your Gift Creates a Legacy of Creativity
AIS is currently at risk due to reductions in state arts funding. With the right support, we can:
● Maintain AIS for the 600 students served in 2025
● Restore programming to charter schools and underserved sites
● Grow the program to serve 1,000+ students countywide
● Hire more teaching artists and offer a wider array of art forms
● Build lasting creative infrastructure in our rural schools
Every dollar invested in this program is a commitment to the imagination, resilience, and potential of Plumas County youth.
Join Us in Cultivating Creativity
The arts aren’t a luxury—they are a lifeline for learning, connection, and belonging. By supporting Artists in the Schools through the Almanor Foundation, you help Plumas Arts continue to uplift and inspire the next generation of creators, problem-solvers, and cultural leaders. Together, we can keep the arts alive—and growing—for every child in Plumas County.
