The Peninsula Arts Council is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Mission
Peninsula Arts Council’s mission is to advance the arts in San Mateo County.

Areas of Focus
Three key areas of focus that have long-term benefits for San Mateo County include:
public art, arts in education, developing San Mateo County into a destination for the
arts, parks and culture.

Major Activities
Current
• Produce annual Diamond Award recognition event to honor outstanding
achievements in the arts in San Mateo County
• Promote participation in Silicon Valley Open Studios -- the region’s largest display
of artists-- now in its 24th year
• Participate in annual Peninsula Festival at San Mateo County Fair
• Participate in annual Americans for the Arts, October Arts and Humanities
Month campaign
• Participate in The Arts Ask For More visibility campaign
• Produce monthly newsletter and updates www.peninsulaartscouncil.org website
• Provide fiscal sponsorship to artists and arts organizations
• Maintain an on-line Artist Registry
• Attend cultural events, community meetings and networking events to ensure
visibility for the arts county-wide

Past
• Served as Arts Partner to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors 2002-2010
• Produced two Arts Forums: Developing San Mateo County into a destination for
the arts, parks and culture (2008, 2009)
• Curated three gallery spaces at Redwood City’s Downtown Government Center
• Curated special art shows, “The Female Gaze” in collaboration with the Arts
Commission of San Mateo County and the Commission on the Status of Women for
San Mateo County and annual “Artists with Disabilities” art show
• Produced series of youth art outreach activities at Kepler’s Bookstore in Menlo
Park
• Participated in arts outreach event at the San Carlos Art and Wine Festival
• As ARTshare, led the development of the 2002 Cultural Plan for San Mateo County

Funding
The Peninsula Arts Council’s main source of funding has been from curating and
maintaining three art galleries at Redwood City’s Downtown Government Center.
Additional sources include membership and artist registry fees, board support, fiscal
sponsorship, special events and donations.

Governing Board
The Council is guided by a board of directors, each of whom reside and/or work in
San Mateo County. The board currently represents Art in Action, Art on the Square,
Coastal Repertory Theatre, Silicon Valley Open Studios, Music at Kohl Mansion, San
Carlos Arts Commission, Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, San Mateo County
Convention and Visitors Bureau Film Commission, and volunteer arts advocates. The
advisory board represents Burlingame Art Society, City Arts of San Mateo, Peninsula
Ballet Theatre and Filoli Center.
The Board meets every first Tuesday of the month or as needed.