Redlands arts nonprofit receives nearly $100,000 grant for environmental arts programs

REDLANDS, Calif. — The Artlands Creative has received a $99,990 state grant to expand environmental arts programming in Redlands and Morongo Valley, including paid artist residencies and public programs connecting art with nature.

The funding comes through Arts in California Parks, a partnership between California State Parks, the California Arts Council and Parks California that supports arts and cultural programming in public outdoor spaces.

The Redlands-based nonprofit is one of 30 organizations statewide selected to receive grants this year, with awards ranging from $28,000 to $150,000.

The grant will support The Artlands Creative's REACH project, which combines arts education, environmental awareness and community engagement.

The project will fund 10 work-only artist residencies for artists based in San Bernardino and Riverside counties and provide 20 environmentally focused arts programs at two locations: the REACH Garden at Sylvan Park in Redlands and Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Morongo Valley.

The organization will also continue developing its community garden at Sylvan Park, which features a native plant demonstration garden and community vegetable beds.

"We are excited to receive continued support from Parks California and Arts in California Parks for a third year in a row," said Daniel Gohman, executive director of The Artlands Creative in a statement.

"We have seen first-hand through our REACH programming, the impact of bringing arts and environmental programming together — providing paid opportunities for artists, educational opportunities for the public, and building a greater connection with the natural world in our Inland Empire and desert communities."

The grant is part of more than $2.4 million awarded statewide this year through Arts in California Parks. Since launching in 2024, the initiative has distributed more than $5.4 million to support community arts programming in parks.

The Artlands Creative is a nonprofit organization that supports emerging and underrepresented artists through exhibitions, residencies, public art projects and cultural programming throughout Southern California.

Artist applications are open through Thursday, Nov. 19. Interested artists can apply through the online application portal.

Additional information about the statewide program is available at Arts in California Parks.