BENICIA – Like many similar non-profits across the country, Arts Benicia has been closed for over four months due to the shelter-in-place directives for Solano County and California. While Arts Benicia traditionally delivers in-person programming, we have pivoted to working from home to produce online exhibitions and classes for both youth and adults. In addition, Arts Benicia’s Board and Staff have recently made the difficult decision to keep the gallery and classroom closed for the remainder of 2020.

Despite this pivot, Arts Benicia’s revenue from programs has dramatically declined. The organization has sought grants and relief and loan funds, cut operating expenses and staffing by over 60 percent, and brainstormed new revenue opportunities.

However, the outlook looks dire at this time. Without a major infusion of funding, budget projections point to a possible near depletion of funds by fall of this year, at which time more drastic options will need to be considered. The Arts Benicia Board and staff remain deeply committed to our mission – nurturing the arts and supporting our artist community – as we have been for 33 years. For this reason, Arts Benicia has initiated a fundraising appeal to its members and community, asking for help to make it through this year. We need support to keep our creative community together and invite donations at https://artsbenicia.org/donations

We join others around the world in praying for our scientific community to find the solutions that will fight the COVID19 virus and help our world get back to health and productivity.

We know that everyone has been impacted in some way—including financially–by the COVID-19 virus. We truly care about our community and we wish for the safetyand healthof our friends and colleagues.

Arts Benicia is a community-based non-profit organization that provides quality exhibitions in its gallery and at other venues in Benicia, engaging public programs, stimulating workshops for adults, and inspiring family andyouth art programs. For 33 years, Arts Benicia has been a vital part of the local and regional arts community, furthering and supporting artistic development, and enriching the larger community. For more information: info@artsbenicia.org; 707-747-0131; artsbenicia.org.

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