Nevada County, CA – April 8, 2025 — Culture Forward, the collaborative Arts & Culture Action Plan for Nevada County, is calling on creatives, artists, cultural workers, business owners and community members to help shape a vibrant future for the region’s arts and cultural ecosystem. A new series of Grass Valley–Nevada City Listening Sessions will take place April 30–May 1, offering multiple opportunities for the public to join the conversation.

Following a successful launch at the Truckee Cultural District in March, where over two days and six sessions, 80 engaged participants shared ideas, stories, and bold visions, Culture Forward is now heading to the western part of the county to continue gathering input. Attend one session, or attend them all!

These Listening Sessions—led by the people-centered design agency Scansion—will give the community an opportunity to share their voices. “We’re here to listen to you, the people of Nevada County, where your ideas will contribute to shaping the Arts & Culture Action Plan.” Says Diana Arbex, Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District Program Manager. “These conversations will directly inform the development of a countywide strategy to support arts, culture, and creative economic initiatives for years to come.”

Listening Sessions Schedule (RSVP at CultureForwardCA.org):

  • Wednesday, April 30 | 12:00–1:30 PM @ Miners Foundry Cultural Center
  • Wednesday, April 30 | 5:30–7:00 PM @ The Center for the Arts
  • Thursday, May 1 | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM @ Higgins Community Center
  • Thursday, May 1 | 5:30–7:00 PM @ North Columbia Schoolhouse

These sessions are FREE and open to the public. In addition to the in-person sessions, all community members are encouraged to complete a short online survey at CultureForwardCA.org to ensure their opinions are heard—whether or not they can attend a Listening Session. This is your moment to help envision and shape the future of arts and culture in Nevada County—be sure not to miss these sessions.

Culture Forward is a community-driven initiative led by Nevada County Arts Council with the Truckee and Grass Valley–Nevada City Cultural Districts, in partnership with the city of Grass Valley, Nevada City, Town of Truckee, Nevada City, Grass Valley and Truckee Chambers of Commerce, the Truckee Arts Alliance, and Truckee Downtown Merchants Association.

For more information about Culture Forward, to take the survey or RSVP to a Listening Session visit https://www.cultureforwardca.org/