Eleven different nonprofit arts organizations met in Loomis recently to discuss ways to build new and bigger audiences. The discussion was driven by a demographic analysis citing a 27.7% growth in population by 2017, the majority of which are projected to be new, younger families choosing to move to Placer County for a better quality of life. With the arts as a proven contributor to quality of life, arts organizations are faced with the challenge of making these new people aware of the programs they offer, with limited marketing budgets.

“Placer County offers residents a great variety of visual and performing arts events right here, in our own communities,” stated Angela Tahti, executive director PlacerArts. “It’s just that not enough people are aware of what is here, and some continue to go to bigger cities for large venue events. There’s nothing wrong with that, but the constellation of local presenting organizations offers convenient and high quality experiences. Audience members new to the Placer arts scene are generally amazed, given the small size of our local arts organizations.”

Paid for by a grant from the Placer Community Foundation, the Nonprofit Resource Center of Sacramento hired Louise Stevens of Arts Market Inc. to conduct the workshop. Known nationally for her work in audience development, Louise focused on developing joint marketing strategies to promote the county’s unique and varied arts groups, while reducing costs incurred by them individually. Participating organizations included: Auburn Community Concert Association, Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center, Auburn Symphony, Lincoln Arts & Culture Foundation, Magic Circle Theatre, PlacerArts, Placer Community Theater, Placer Theatre Ballet, Reconciliation Singers Voices of Peace, Roseville Arts, and Take Note Troupe.

One strategy for collaborating to build greater audiences has already been implemented. Patrons of the arts can see a calendar of each organization’s events on-line at www.placerarts.org/calendar.

To learn more about how to support the arts in Placer County, visit the Placer Community Foundation website at www.placercf.org or call (530) 885-4920.