Read Our 2025 Impact Report
Friends,
2025 marked 10 years of Local Color building equitable pathways for artists to thrive.
Ten Years! Can you believe it?! Since 2015, we have passed a monumental milestone that deserves its own paragraph in bold and italics:
To date, Local Color has captured and redistributed $2,119,943.71 directly to artists and their visions.
This ginormous number proves we’re doing what we said we’d do: uplift artists through real, tangible support.
This year, our team grew from 10 to 12 (85% of us are practicing artists!). Together, we’ve continued providing paid work, meaningful connections, and accessible space for creatives across Santa Clara County. Local Color is built by artists, for artists. Some of our proudest work this year include:
Partnering with foster youth–serving organizations so kids can create with working artists
Working with DeAnza/Foothill College and the County to bring interns into our creative workforce
Piloting “Golden Expressions,” artist-led workshops for older adults
2025 was not without its hurdles. Alongside dozens of Bay Area arts and culture-serving organizations, we took a hit when the NEA pulled funding for a very cool public program due to shifting federal priorities. This first-ever NEA award to Local Color represented more than the seed funding for artist-led experimental programming, but a public acknowledgement of the impact of our work in the community on a National level.…
And still, we are mercilessly optimistic about the future of local Working Artists in San José and Santa Clara County. Together, Local Color will continue to loudly provide and advocate for equitable compensation, affordable workspaces, and accessible resources for local creatives.
Thank you all for the last 10 glorious years. Cheers to 10 more!
Wildly Ambitious and with deep, deep Gratitude,
Erin Salazar
Founder & Executive Director, Local Color
