California State Parks is excited to introduce the Arts in California Parks Advisory Committee, a collective of visionaries from both the public and private sectors who will advise and inform the development and implementation of the Arts in California Parks program announced in October 2023. The goal of the program, which is a collaboration among State Parks, the California Arts Council, and Parks California, is to help make California’s parks more inclusive and welcoming.
“We look forward to the committee’s input as we work together to bring public art to parks, where it will deepen community engagement and social interaction while enhancing our cultural and aesthetic experiences in parks,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “Through this program, more park visitors will discover California’s treasures and talents, and these art installations and activities will serve as a point of pride when we say to ourselves, ‘I live here.’”
Individuals representing diverse geographic, multicultural, and organizational perspectives and interdisciplinary expertise in a range of art forms were invited by the Program Partners — California State Parks, Parks California, and the California Arts Council — to participate in the Advisory Committee.
Members of the committee include Mona Abadir, Alme Allen, Kate Bickert, Melecio Estrella, Caryl Hart, Katie Hazard, Jenny Kane, Cava Menzies, Luz Perez, Kim Stanley Robinson, Ivy Ross, Roman Sanchez, Jeff Williams, Emily Womack and Sue Bell Yank. (See more details below on their backgrounds.)