The KDA Creative Corps (KDACC) released the findings of a report highlighting the successful completion of a $4.2 million project funded by the California Arts Council. Since it began in 2022, the KDACC has brought forth employment opportunities by encouraging artists and cultural workers to participate in public service initiatives designed to improve the quality of life for the state’s eastern Sierra and Central Valley areas. The report highlights substantial job creation and positive community impact across underserved communities in California. 

“As a pilot initiative, KDACC achieved extraordinary results in just a short time,” said Andrea Hansen, program director for the agency. “This program 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 (KDACC) 

The KDA Creative Corps (KDACC) is a pilot program within the California Creative Corps that is designed to promote community and civic engagement and spread awareness about conservation, climate change, emergency preparedness, relief and recovery through the arts. The Kern Dance Alliance selected the KDACC to regrant funds to arts and social service organizations, individual artists, and cultural workers in their respective regions. 

Report Highlights

This KDACC undertaking greatly impacted 14 counties, encompassing 154 zip codes across more than 46,000 square miles. Moreover, these projects often served underserved regions of the state. Highlights of the report include:

Workforce Improvements

Agency efforts created more than 970 jobs. These positions equated to 60,605 total workforce hours. Furthermore, these jobs provided valuable economic support to Central California’s creative sector, enabling artists and cultural workers the opportunity to contribute a great deal to their local communities.

Economic Advancement

The more than $4 million seeded for these initiatives allowed KDACC to create lasting and meaningful impacts on typically underserved municipalities such as Fresno, Tulare, Kern, and Kings Counties. Additionally, sponsored projects have helped communities ranked among the lowest quartiles of the state’s Healthy Places Index (HPI), creating investments in locations that traditionally receive limited funding.

Strengthening Those in Need

KDACC placed a special focus on progress geared toward improving the plight of underrepresented entities like persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, incarcerated youths, the aging population, homeless individuals, representatives of the LGBTQ community, and indigenous peoples. Promoting new avenues for creative opportunities has given these groups greater inclusion in California’s artistic environment. 

Highlighted Civic Participation

Projects funded by the organization heightened civic participation and public service involvement through artistic outlets. The strong connections brought forth between local artists and the communities they live and work in have led to improvement in public health, mental well-being, and a general sense of civic pride.

KDACC has shown the immense potential of the creative economy to drive regional growth and community well-being,” said Jim Damien, chief economic development officer for Kern County. “This initiative highlights the importance of sustained investment in our local artists whose work beautifies our communities and uplifts the spirits of our residents.”

“KDACC’s support for the arts in our communities has helped create jobs and spurned economic opportunities,” said Congressman Vince Fong, who represents California’s Twentieth District. “With their investment, we are revitalizing our local arts industry to grow with our economy.” 

The Future of KDACC

The organization’s success highlights the need for ongoing support of California’s creative economy and further demonstrates the key role arts funding plays in creating strong communities, particularly in underserved communities in the state. KDACC’s Final Report was compiled over a period beginning on October 2, 2022, and completed on October 31, 2024.