Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District

06/19/2026

Join Music in the Mountains for the 45th annual SummerFest celebration, a series of classical music concerts that bring distinguished professional musicians and a full orchestra from major symphonies around the U.S. to an intimate setting in the Sierra Foothills.

This year’s festival features a delightful afternoon of Mozart on June 21, a powerful 80-minute opera (Pagliacci) on June 24, a sweeping, full orchestra rendition of Scheherazade on June 26, and an American Celebration with patriotic favorites and the music of John Williams on June 28. Featuring the soaring voices of the Music in the Mountains Chorus, this week of classical music at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley is sure to be memorable.

06/15/2026

The Nevada City Film Festival returns for its 26th edition, June 26-28, transforming the historic streets of downtown Nevada City into a living, breathing celebration of independent cinema unlike any before it. Part festival, part symposium, part think tank - this year’s edition marks a bold evolution: a space where filmmakers, artists, and audiences come together not just to watch great films, but to exchange ideas, spark collaborations, and re-imagine the future of cinema itself.

Don't miss the "Thursday Night Kick Off" with a chance to peek behind the screen of one of the most exciting new initiatives supporting local filmmakers and to meet the artists bringing it to life.

Join NCFF festival directors and Filmed in Nevada County grant recipient award-winning, Emmy-nominated documentary director and producer Jared Callahan for an intimate sneak peek at CATCH, one of two productions selected for this year's grant.

You'll hear directly from Callahan along with the cast and crew who brought the film to life right here in Nevada County and get a firsthand look at what it takes to make meaningful work in our own backyard.

Don't miss the fun!
Get your tickets at www.nevadacityfilmfestival.com

06/12/2026

06/09/2026

Calling all artists in the GVNC and beyond - we DARE you speak up and show up for the arts by calling your state legislature today!

Please Act Today!

05/29/2026

Join us this evening, Wednesday May 22, at The City of Nevada City City Hall, as Mayor Adam Kline proclaims it Joanna Newsom Day!

As part of Mayor Kline's "Year of Advanced Music Appreciation", this proclamation recognizes the talents of Grass Valley born singer-songwriter, harpist, and actress Joanna Newsom. She serves as a wonderful example of the creativity of Nevada County and the many talented individuals who consider themselves a part of this place we call home.

The proclamation is first on the agenda at 6:30, come celebrate the arts with us!

You can read more about a handful of those individuals, including Newsom, in this year's MUSE article "Lucky Little Towns" an abridged history of local music by Adam Kline.
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/MUSE26 /59

05/28/2026

Now's the time to raise your voice in support of what makes our towns and cities so special, the arts and culture of our communities.

We have until June 12 to flood the phones of our State reps with one simple request.

Fund the Arts!

🚨 California is at a crossroads.

While a $350 BILLION state budget grows from the AI boom, funding for arts, culture, and creativity is being left behind.

Here’s the reality:
• California ranks 35th in the nation for arts funding
• The California Arts Council budget has been stuck at $24M since 2019
• Meanwhile, the state budget has nearly doubled
We’re not asking for new funding — we’re asking for fairness.

📢 Support:
✔️ $50M for the California Arts Council - $10M of this is earmarked for the Cultural District Program.

If you live, love, or work in the or this money is vital to sustaining the many programs and projects that support our communities!

These investments are proven, necessary, and long overdue. Arts and culture are NOT luxuries — they are essential

👉 TAKE ACTION (it's easy!):
📞 Call your lawmakers (and keep calling!)
📲 Share on social & tag your representatives
👯‍♀️ Rally your community — host a call party IRL or on Zoom
💬 Text 5 friends and ask them to join you

Let’s make sure California’s budget reflects what we truly value. You can learn more about contacting your representatives from our friends at California for the Arts www.caartsadvocates.org/50in50

Here's a great pic of GVNC Cultural District Program Manager Diana Arbex after giving public comment to the State Senate on the importance of funding the arts and culture in California.