The mission of the Downey Arts Coalition is to stimulate, develop, foster, encourage, and promote public interest in, and appreciation of the arts.

The Downey Arts Coalition began meeting in 2011 as a group of artists and community advocates that desired to affect change in the arts and culture scene in Downey. Soon the group began producing local events such as art shows, live music, theatre, film screenings and poetry. In 2012, the group merged with our established community arts association, the Downey Art League, which has its roots in the 1950s and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1967. The Downey Art League has a long history of success, including annual arts shows and festivals. Today the Downey Arts Coalition continues that tradition of gathering and supporting local artists, but now with a focus across all the arts disciplines.

We are an all-volunteer, membership-based community service organization. Meetings are held monthly, and information about meeting times and locations is distributed via our email list or Facebook page. General meetings and membership in the organization are open to the public.

For local artists and arts organizers, Downey Arts Coalition provides support and sponsorship of local arts projects and events. Download our application, sign up to get involved, and become a member.

Mailing Address

Board of Directors

C. Raul Espinoza, President
Pat Gil, Vice President
Andrew Wahlquist, Secretary
Art Montoya, Treasurer
Carolina Del Toro
David Devis
Ben Dickow
Rudy Iniguez
Ryan Keene
Monica Pucciarelli

Projects we support

Downey Arts Coalition provides support and sponsorship to local arts events and projects.

Downey Theatre Art Shows: Produced by ">Pat Gil, curated by Andrew Hernandez

Dia De Los Muertos art show, Art booths at the Rooftop Concert Series: Curated by ">Carolina Del Toro

GlennFest Film Festival: Curated by Glenn Stephens. www.glennfest.com

Make Music Downey: www.makemusicdowney.org

Statement on Cultural Equity

Vision Statement

Our vision is to build bridges in our community through engagement with the arts in all its forms. Through collaboration among local arts organizations, public events, and civic advocacy we seek to develop a vibrant relationship between local artists and the community in and around the city of Downey.

Community Profile

The city of Downey has a population of over 100,000 residents, over 70% of those residents are non-white. The breakdown of the population by race or ethnicity is as follows: 13% white, 74% Hispanic (of various races and ethnicities) 6% non-Hispanic represents our community Asian and 3% non-Hispanic Black.

Downey Arts Coalition Representation through Action

Downey Arts Coalition seeks to represent our community by developing a Board of Directors that are from culturally diverse backgrounds.  It serves as a model for the community as an organization that celebrates the rich cultures and racial diversity that makes up the city of Downey.  Downey Arts Coalition purposely seeks to collaborate and promote visual artists, musicians, dancers, performers, filmmakers, and cross-disciplinary artists of all ages, and of different races, abilities, genders, sexual identities and cultural backgrounds.

Revisions Adopted November 6, 2018