ORGANIZATIONS & ENTERPRISES

Sonoma County is home to more than 200 non-profit arts organizations along with 100s of other creative enterprises who work every day to enrich our lives with exhibits, performances, readings, happenings. Sometimes, they are caretakers of our collective cultural identity. Sometimes they are tour guides, leading us on an exploration into uncharted emotional waters. And always, they are the critical threads that tie together the fabric of our creative community. Browse this ever-growing gathering of our creative eco-system for ideas and opportunities.

Do you work for a creative organization or enterprise in Sonoma County? Register HERE to have your company’s page included on CreativeSonoma.org.

Cindy Potter Graphic Design Business, Business Services, Government, Media, Publishing/Printing Cindy has been freelancing as a graphic designer in the Bay Area for more 17 years. Her clients return often, impressed with her commitment to budget, schedule and creative solutions.   Cindy comes from an environmental consulting background, working as a Project Coordinator and Graphic Designer on various environmental reports and public outreach collateral for projects such as the Bay Bridge East Span Replacement, Hamilton Air Force Base Rehabilitation, and UP/SP and CSX railroad mergers.   Since striking out on her own in 2000, Cindy has worked with SFPUC, Caltrans, Sonoma County Water Agency, Creative Sonoma (she designed the logo!), Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and other federal and local entities. Cindy’s current and most recent work largely supports infrastructure, water, and environmental projects within the Bay Area.

City Of Napa Government

The City of Napa supports the placement of public art in the community through a variety of different programs created to contribute to a more livable and visually stimulating environment. Public art first appeared in Napa in the 1970s, when the Napa Community Redevelopment Agency commissioned five sculptures that were placed in the downtown to enhance its image and encourage people to walk and shop in the area.

The City of Napa's public art program has grown into a robust program with the Napa Art Walk, Napa Lighted Art Festival, temporary and permanent art, audio tours, street performers program, utility box wraps and much more.

City Of Petaluma Public Art Program Government The City of Petaluma’s public art program is committed to enhancing the appearance and cultural richness of the City by incorporating works of art into public places and fostering art within public view or access in private developments. The public art program encourages the use of art to celebrate the City’s rich history, its significant environmental assets and the diversity of its community as well as to salute creativity, innovation and artistic excellence.

City Of Sebastopol Planning Department Government The City of Sebastopol was founded in 1902 and provides a wide range of municipal services. The City has a number of public boards, including the Public Arts Committee.

Creative Sonoma Arts Council/Alliance, Government, Nonprofit Services A continual work-in-progress, Creative Sonoma is producing programs and services that advance our community. These activities shift over time as we get to know each other better and learn how to really help. Trainings and Workshops – where our topics change each quarter based on community feedback, trends and new ideas, and sudden opportunities. Check What’s Happening for current events. Convenings – where we come to you. Our Coffee and Conversation series of town hall style meetings has taken us across the county to communities of all sizes to hear directly from you why you have made Sonoma your creative home and what you need to move forward. Make sure you are on our mailing list to be alerted about meetings near you. Arts Education – where we come together with arts education partners across the county to help ensure that arts education is accessible to all students. Read our feature story on this topic. Also, educators and parents of school-age children are invited to participate in the Sonoma County Arts Education Alliance Survey on the state of arts education in our public schools. One-on-One Consulting – where we work with you individually to offer assistance to achieving your professional goals. Connect with us to find out more. Special Projects – where we bring together new ideas with smart people and watch what happens to improve our community.

Creative Sonoma Government OUR WORK Creative Sonoma is dedicated to advancing and supporting the creative community of Sonoma County. A continual work-in-progress, we produce programs and services that serve the needs of our diverse sector. These activities shift over time as we get to know each other better and learn how to really help. Trainings and Workshops – where our topics change each quarter based on community feedback, trends and new ideas, and sudden opportunities. Check What’s Happening for current events. Convenings – where we come to you. Our Coffee and Conversation series of town hall style meetings has taken us across the county to communities of all sizes to hear directly from you why you have made Sonoma your creative home and what you need to move forward. Make sure you are on our mailing list to be alerted about meetings near you. Arts Education – where we come together with arts education partners across the county to help ensure that arts education is accessible to all students. Visit the Arts Education page to learn more. One-on-One Consulting – where we work with you individually to offer assistance to achieving your professional goals. Connect with us to find out more. Partners – where we forge a stronger creative community via partnerships with local government agencies and entities. Learn more about the Sonoma County Film Office, housed with us in the Economic Development Board: Creative Sonoma houses the local directory of experienced film production individuals and organizations/enterprises. Special Projects – where we bring together new ideas with smart people and watch what happens to improve our community.

Escolar Art Gallery, Arts Council/Alliance, Association/Club/Group/Guild, Creative Design, Dance, Decorative Arts, Education, Environmental, Film/Video, Fine Crafts, Government, History/Heritage, Interior Design, Kids/Family, Literature/Poetry, Media, Museum, Music, Nonprofit, Performing Arts, Product/Industrial Design, Publishing/Printing, Special Events, Visual Arts

Escolar is an art and design research collective working at the intersection of regenerative agriculture and cultural production within an anti-capitalist and de-colonial framework.

We maintain a curatorial practice and an exhibition venue, a residency with production facilities and support, provide design and fabrication support for local activists and maintain a one-acre experimental farm with an emphasis on native flora.

-We provide housing, food and production support for visiting and local artists.

-We produce public art exhibitions and complementary workshops, talks and symposiums.

-We foster a symbiotic relationship between cultural, agricultural and land-use practices.

-We build linkages between theoretical and material labor/ modes of work.

-We organize a space where creative work is separate from the cultural hierarchies and professional roles of global finance capital.

-We develop, explore and deepen communal understandings of regionally specific land management practices and their histories.

-We help provide local youth with access to a world class network of artists, musicians and thinkers.

-We provide educational programs to emerging artists and the public on regenerative agriculture.

Legit Broz LLC Adult Arts Education, Business, Business Services, Corporation, Crew, Dance, Education, Environmental, Festivals/Markets, Film Office, Film/Video, Government, Library, Media, Music, Performing Arts, Publishing/Printing, Retail, School, Special Events, Sports/Outdoors, Talent, Theatre, Travel, Visual Arts, Youth Arts Education Entertainment Services

Vegar Abelsnes Photography, LLC Art Gallery, Arts Council/Alliance, Association/Club/Group/Guild, Business, Corporation, Creative Design, Decorative Arts, Environmental, Festivals/Markets, Film Office, Film/Video, Food/Drink, Government, Interior Design, Kids/Family, Library, Media, Museum, Nonprofit, Nonprofit Services, Performing Arts, Publishing/Printing, School, Special Events, Sports/Outdoors, Theatre, Travel, Visual Arts Vegar Abelsnes is a global lifestyle, location, portrait, and food photographer & director, who is currently based in Sonoma County. For many years he worked out of New York, then San Francisco, and now Petaluma, CA. At the age of 19, he left Norway to go traveling around the world in search of a greater purpose. After nearly two years of exploring – during which he experienced, saw, and tasted much of what the world had to offer – Vegar discovered the irrepressible desire in him to photograph. For Vegar photography developed beyond an avocation, into both a profession and a lifelong passion. Vegar strongly believes in creating a collaborative environment on his shoots and is known in the industry for the subtle, yet effective ways in which he directs his talent and crew. His ability to capture spontaneous and authentic moments – without sacrificing technical or aesthetic perfection – is a testament not only to Vegar’s professionalism but also to that of his team. His personable approach makes for a fun and relaxed atmosphere, regardless of the size and complexity of a production.