Audience members on stage during a free performance by Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles (photo: Isaac Hernández de Lipa)
Endowment Campaign
¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! is a collaboration between Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, the Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association, The Marjorie Luke Theatre and UCSB Arts & Lectures serving Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Guadalupe and New Cuyama.
These partnerships enable Viva to fill the crucial “cultural gap” in the County’s education system that does not always include Mexican/Latinx cultural heritage, language and arts as part of its curriculum. Community performances are FREE to the public and educational programming is conducted in the schools, with no cost to students or the district. Programs and outreach are presented in English and Spanish.
QUITAPENAS Workshop at Santa Barbara Jr. High School
Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles at El Camino Elementary
Singer Perla Batalla leads purcussion workshop at Franklin Elementary
“Everyone should have access to art and music. Viva is awesome. It provides world-class musicians and artists to the community at no charge.”
– Salud Carbajal, U.S. Congressman, Representing California’s 24th District
Act Now to Preserve the Legacy of ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara!
For nearly two decades Viva has brought vibrant cultural performance and educational opportunities to the most underserved in Santa Barbara County. Join us in securing the future of this vital partnership for generations to come with a gift to the Viva Endowment Fund.
Honorary Committee
Rep. Salud Carbajal
Hector Flores
Eva Haller
Dorothy Largay
Kath Lavidge
Rep. Monique Limón
Sara Miller McCune
Justine Roddick
Alíz Ruvalcaba
Arts & Lectures Council
Patricia MacFarlane, Co-Chair
Dorothy Largay, Co-Chair
Kath Lavidge, Co-Chair
Rich Janssen, Co-Chair
Marcy Carsey
Timothy O. Fisher
Susan McCaw
Sara Miller McCune
Jillian Muller
Natalie Orfalea
Tom Sturgess
Anne Smith Towbes
Lynda Weinman
Cliff Wyatt
Merryl Snow Zegar
Arts & Lectures Ambassadors
Winnie Dunbar
Donna Fellows
Belle Hahn
Eva Haller
Robin Himovitz
Luci Janssen
Maxine Prisyon
Lily Hahn Shining
Heather Sturgess
Anne Smith Towbes
Sherry Villanueva
Crystal Wyatt
Community Partners
The Marjorie Luke Theatre
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association
Miller McCune Executive Director
Celesta M. Billeci
Associate Director
Meghan Bush
Senior Director of Development & Special Initiatives
Stacy Cullison
Director of Development
Elise Erb
Director of Education & Community Engagement
Jenna Hamilton-Rolle
10,000 Community members reached throughout Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Guadalupe
5,000 TK-12 students served through in-school assemblies and workshops
55 free events including performances, assemblies, workshops, and more
“This event always brings the whole family together. We get to embrace our culture and it makes us feel welcomed in this country. Every single Viva el Arte is a good time.” – Guadalupe, CA
“We really appreciate all you guys do to make it possible to bring back different traditions so our little ones get to know our roots.” – Santa Barbara, CA
“Viva el Arte is a wonderful program. We came to almost every fabulous evening last year and brought many friends. We are thankful they are free as we are on a fixed income. Please continue, thank you!” – Guadalupe, CA
“Viva el Arte has been an enjoyable experience for us for the past year. These free concerts provided by UCSB Arts & Lectures let me and my family be exposed to a variety of music we wouldn’t hear previously with no cost. Thank you!” – Santa Barbara, CA
“We love every show! We come to every show! We greatly appreciate the high quality of the performers.” – Goleta, CA
“He venido por various anos y me parece formidable su programa de shows une oportunidad de unir nuestra comunidada Latina.” – Guadalupe, CA
Learn more about the award-winning ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! program. Call Jenna Hamilton-Rolle, Director of Education & Community Engagement, at (805) 893-5829 for information.
photos: Isaac Hernández de Lipa