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Our Story

Arts Outreach is a nonprofit community arts organization based in the Santa Ynez Valley. Recently celebrating our 43rd anniversary, we began in 1980 with five volunteer artists as an arts-in-schools program, placing artists in the classrooms to teach and perform. Today, Arts Outreach has grown into a collaboration of over 70 talented and professional artists. Our mission of promoting the visual, literary and musical arts in the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos Valleys has grown stronger than ever with the help and support of the community, teachers, principals, and superintendents.

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At first we reached 150 youngsters. Now, Arts Outreach serves over three thousand plus students along with Santa Barbara County residents of all ages, producing events in unique rural settings. We have held jazz cabarets in delicatessens, concerts in vineyards, mountaintops, and churches.

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Our audience and programs continue to reach out with events such as music concerts, “Great Valley Cook-Off”, and APPLAUSE, a Young Artists Program. We also offer after-school arts classes, a youth Glee program, and an Elder Arts program which serves seniors year round.

Painting Class

Our Staff.

Megan Linton

Executive Director

Megan Linton has a unique connection to Arts Outreach as both a former student and teacher. Megan grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley, and her personal journey with the organization began as an elementary school student, where she discovered her passion for the arts via Arts Outreach in-school programming. Megan's dedication to the arts propelled her to become a teacher with Arts Outreach, inspiring and mentoring countless aspiring artists. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco,

Meet the Board.

Get to know the dedicated individuals who guide and support our non-profit's mission. Each board member brings a unique set of skills, expertise, and passion to our organization.

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