Logo courtesy of Friends of the Arts 

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - In a split 3-2 vote, the Butte County Board of Supervisors on April 14 designated the Upstate Community Enhancement Foundation, known as Friends of the Arts, as the county’s Local Arts Agency after a competing motion to select the State Theater Arts Guild failed. The designation allows Friends of the Arts to serve as the county’s partner in the California Arts Council’s State-Local Partnership program, making it eligible to apply for up to $75,000 annually in funding, along with technical assistance and operational support.

Supervisors considered two qualified applicants after establishing a formal process earlier this year. Both organizations met eligibility requirements, including nonprofit status, a California-based office and demonstrated countywide arts programming. Friends of the Arts has held the designation since 2004, serving as the county’s liaison to the California Arts Council. Supervisor Tami Ritter, who supported continuing the designation, pointed to the organization’s track record in securing funding.

 “For me, this is an easy decision because I can look at the dollars that are going to come into Butte County, and we’re all going to benefit if we have Friends of the Arts at the helm applying for those funds,” Ritter said.

That argument was echoed during public comment by supporters.

“In 2024, we brought $334,500 into Butte County with nine grants,” said Debra Lucero, arts administrator for the Upstate program. “That was a full-time job just doing that.” Board Chair Bill Connelly, who was in the minority, supported selecting the State Theater Arts Guild, signaling interest in shifting the county’s approach toward an organization centered on programming and venue-based expansion.

Public comment also reflected that divide, with supporters of the State Theater Arts Guild highlighting its regional events, youth programming and ability to host large-scale cultural activities, while supporters of Friends of the Arts emphasized its role as a countywide arts council providing grant-writing support and assistance to smaller organizations.

Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue did not support the motion to designate the State Theater as the county’s partner but emphasized the importance of collaboration, suggesting the two organizations could work together to strengthen arts services across the county.

The board ultimately voted to retain Friends of the Arts as the Local Arts Agency. The designation positions the organization to apply for state funding ahead of the California Arts Council’s May 12 deadline.