Santa Maria Arts Council

The Annual Student Art Show is a collaborative effort between the Santa Maria Arts Council and local art teachers to demonstrate the creative abilities of local students and bring awareness to the importance of arts in education. The Arts Council’s mission since 1965 has been to support and encourage the expansion of the arts in our community. View works from this year's show.

The Santa Maria Arts Council is an umbrella organization for local art groups and supporters. The Arts Council continues to initiate, encourage, and expand activities which open new opportunities for all artists, students, and residents of the Santa Maria valley. Council members include artists, arts advocates, educators, city and government leaders, business, and various art groups.


The Council meets monthly on the third Wednesday of the month at noon. Our present meeting location is The Abel Maldonado Center.


The Arts Council encourages and supports emerging artists through the Individual Grants Competition which currently disburses $10,000 annually to first and second place finalists in music, drama, dance, and visual arts.


The Council administers the Lester B. Hayes Grant in support of arts education programs in the valley.


The Council sponsors the annual Student Arts Show, and supports Santa Maria’s Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival including the Chalk Art Expose.

Your sponsorships and membership dues support the ongoing efforts of the Arts Council. Donations are gratefully accepted!