Since 2011, The San Diego Foundation Creative Catalyst Program has benefited more than 170,000 San Diegans from the work of 40 artist fellows and their community partners.
The goal of the program is to strengthen San Diego’s creative economy by providing opportunities for local artists to create work that advances their careers, increases civic engagement and enriches our quality of life.
Throughout the course of each grant cycle, artists partner with local arts and culture organizations to connect their art to the community through music, film, theatre, dance and visual arts as well as for civic engagement and social change.
Upcoming Events
Prior Creative Catalyst fellows range from Grammy-nominated composer Wu Man to San Diego’s very own viral videomaker Cy Kuckenbaker.
In the 2016-2017 cycle of performances and events, Creative Catalyst fellows invite San Diegans to explore and engage with their projects. In the coming months, be sure to check out the following opportunities.
River
Artist: Michelle Montjoy
Sponsor: Oceanside Museum of Art
Date & Location: March 25 – July 9, 2017 at the Oceanside Museum of Art
Michelle Montjoy’s River is the reimagining of traditional techniques and attitudes of knitting into a contemporary role that connects communities through comfort, inspiration and empowerment. Using large table top looms or finger crocheting forms, the community is invited to contribute to a visual conversation by knitting, crocheting, braiding or knotting.
Caregivers Anonymous
Artist: Janet S. Tiger
Sponsor: Playwrights Project
Dates & Locations: Sunday, April 30 at 4:30pm, Library Program at the Shiley Special Events Stage of the Central Library | Saturday, May 3 at 7:00pm, Ohr Shalom Synagogue | Saturday, May 6 at 7:00pm, Christ Presbyterian Church, Carlsbad
Caregivers Anonymous is a theatrical experience introducing audiences to the challenges caregivers face, with the goal of helping to raise awareness and improve the lives of those impacted. Caregiving is a universal constant. At birth and throughout life, we are taken care of, then we often take care of others, and finally we are cared for again. As a caregiver, the work we do can touch lives in very important ways.
Upstart Crow
Artist: Tim West
Sponsor: San Diego Writers, Ink
Date & Location: April 17, 2017 at 7pm, San Diego Writers, Ink.
Tim West’s project, Upstart Crow, is a serialized theatre event, presented in six professionally staged readings. The first of the six readings will debut April 17. The original drama series tells the tale of the ‘Lost Years’ of William Shakespeare, who at eighteen married a pregnant 26 year old and virtually disappeared, only to appear in London twelve years later as an accomplished actor-playwright –-termed an “Upstart Crow,” from which West’s series takes its title.
Learn More
The Creative Catalyst Program reflects The San Diego Foundation’s belief and recognition that artists like Michelle, Janet and Tim contribute to our region’s vitality, economy and quality of life. Artists are essential to the community-driven priorities identified in Our Greater San Diego Vision for how we Work, Enjoy, Live and Learn (WELL) in San Diego County.
Stay tuned on The San Diego Foundation website for more information about upcoming Creative Catalyst events and impact.
