This week, the KDA Creative Corps (KDACC) released its Final Report, marking the successful conclusion of a transformative $4.2 million pilot program funded by the California Arts Council.
Since its inception in October 2022, KDACC has created significant job opportunities and engaged artists and cultural workers in public service projects, all of which have enhanced the quality of life across California’s Central Valley and Eastern Sierra regions.
“As a pilot initiative, KDACC achieved extraordinary results in just a short time,” said Andrea Hansen, KDACC Program Director. “This program has fostered economic growth and brought creative voices to the forefront of regional development. Our original target was 571 jobs, but KDACC-funded projects created 972 positions, well beyond our expectations.”
About KDA Creative Corps
The KDA Creative Corps (KDACC) is a pilot program, part of the California Creative Corps, designed to promote community and civic engagement.
Additionally, the program strives to spread awareness about key topics such as water, energy conservation, climate change, emergency preparedness, relief, and recovery, all through the arts.
The Kern Dance Alliance administered KDACC, one of 14 organizations selected statewide, to regrant funds to arts and social service organizations, individual artists, and cultural workers in their respective regions. For more information about KDACC, visit kdacreativecorps.org.
Key Highlights of the KDACC Final Report
The KDACC initiative has made a meaningful impact across 14 counties and 154 zip codes. The program covered over 46,217 square miles in underserved regions of California, resulting in some astounding highlights for the area.
Job Creation and Workforce Hours
The bulk of the KDACC projects generated over 972 jobs, equating to an impressive 60,605 workforce hours. This made the KDACC program an unparalleled force for good in job creation, providing critical economic support to Central California’s creative sector.
Many people seemed uncertain about 2022 in the aftermath of COVID lockdowns. However, this program allowed artists and cultural workers to contribute substantially to their communities while feeling financially secure.
Economic Impact and Regional Reach
With $4.2 million allocated to support diverse projects across the Central Valley and Eastern Sierra, KDACC impacted historically underfunded areas, including Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties. These projects have reached communities within the lowest quartiles of the California Healthy Places Index (HPI), bringing investment and visibility to regions with traditionally limited access to arts funding.
Empowering Underrepresented Populations
KDACC specifically focused on programs that engaged vulnerable groups, such as incarcerated youth, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, elderly residents, the unhoused, LGBTQI+ communities, and Indigenous tribes. By providing new platforms for creative expression, these projects have empowered diverse groups and fostered greater inclusivity in California’s arts landscape.
Enhanced Civic Engagement
KDACC-funded projects have spurred greater civic engagement and public service involvement through the arts. The program has strengthened social bonds by connecting artists with local communities and contributed to improved public health, mental well-being, and civic pride.
“KDACC has shown the immense potential of the creative economy to drive regional growth and community well-being,” said Jim Damian, Kern County’s Chief Economic Development Officer. “This initiative highlights the importance of sustained investment in our local artists, whose work beautifies our communities and uplifts the spirits of our residents.”
California’s creative workforce is pivotal in community transformation, and KDACC exemplifies this impact.
Congressman Rep. Vince Fong praised the initiative, stating, “KDACC’s support for the arts in our community has helped create jobs and spurred economic opportunities. With their involvement, we are revitalizing our local arts industry to grow our economy.”
The Legacy and Future of KDACC
While the California Creative Corps and KDACC were funded as a one-time initiative in the 2021 state budget, the program’s success demonstrates the need for ongoing support for the creative economy in California. KDACC’s impact report underscores the critical role of arts funding in fostering resilient, empowered communities and suggests a pathway for future investment in the state’s underserved regions.
The full KDACC Final Report, detailing these and other achievements, is now available. For more information and to access the report, please visit kdacreativecorps.org.
