Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council (PCAC) was incorporated in 1979 to "promote appreciation of the arts, provide facilities for arts activities, and create an environment where residents can pursue and enjoy a wide range of cultural opportunities." The nonprofit, which has a small working board with no paid employees, has a major impact on the region’s arts and cultural scene despite its diminutive size.

“For more than forty-four years, PCAC has created unique and accessible programs and city-wide and regional events that have drawn thousands of attendees of all ages,” says Kelly Cousins, President of the Board. “Many of these programs feature the art and the rich cultural traditions of our diverse population.”

PCAC recently engaged a local artist to help create a series of large canvas banners created by various student groups to represent their group or an important cause. “The process of creating a piece of art helped the students better communicate, problem-solve, and work together as a team on a meaningful project during a time of significant student isolation in a Covid world,” notes Cousins.

PCAC has supported the creation of the Cultural Arts Building on Black Avenue, the Amador Theater remodeling project, and provided seed money to help to start the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Foundation that was essential in the building of the Firehouse Arts Center. In addition, PCAC has supported and inspired the installation of many public art pieces in the community. It also developed an art curriculum for Pleasanton elementary schools that features the past and present art contributions of local indigenous people who settled in the region.

“Our work with Pleasanton Unified School District includes years of financial support through our grant programs to teachers and schools,” says Cousins. “Included in the list of student-oriented grants and support are music teachers to help reinstate the elementary school strings programs and funding for instruments and their repair; visual art teachers and programs, as well as specifically requested items such as a piano, trolley, computer, and camera for graphic art classes; and potters wheels and clay.”

PCAC is listed specifically in the City of Pleasanton’s Municipal Code to help create public art projects and promote art within the city. Over the years, PCAC has supported many popular organizations and programs, including the well-known Pleasanton Community Concert Band, the Valley Concert Chorale, and the Cantabella Chorus. PCAC created and hosts an annual YEA! Awards, or Youth Excellence in Arts, to award talented students in the musical, literary, and performing arts categories with cash prizes.

“We can create new and exciting programs and projects while maintaining a commitment to annual programs like the YEA! Awards, thanks to endowments and donations from our members,” says Cousins.

PCAC’s work is made possible in part through fundraisers. Its inaugural “Night in Paris” event will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024. PCAC is seeking sponsors and in-kind donations for the fundraiser, which will feature dancing to music by the CoolTones Big Band, French food, wine and beer service, and a silent auction. The unique experience, set in an immersive Parisian street scene, will include an accordion player, artists, souvenir shop, and fortune teller. All profits from the event will go to maintaining PCAC’s ongoing projects and educational programs.

For more information about Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council, please visit www.pleasantonarts.org, www.facebook.com/PleasantonCulturalArtsCouncil, and www.instagram.com/pleasantonculturalartscouncil.

For more information about sponsorship, please visit www.pleasantonarts.org/wp-content/uploads/Night-in-Paris-Sponsorship-Levels.pdf.