Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District

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The California Arts Council has selected 14 districts to serve as California's inaugural state-designated Cultural Districts. Nevada County was bestowed the great honor of being home to 2 of the 14 districts - Grass Valley-Nevada City and Truckee. Your participation is essential to the success of both our state designated Cultural Districts. Each one of us is an ambassador of our community. Help us celebrate our heritage and the people, places, traditions and events that contribute to the quality of life here!

Grass Valley-Nevada City

“Between them, Grass Valley and Nevada City are home to the Nevada Theatre, the oldest theater in California, and over 100 arts-related organizations producing upwards of 1000 events a year.”

As well as for their arts, Grass Valley and Nevada City are known for their expanding vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms, and a trail network of outstanding natural beauty. The Nisenan lived here for thousands of years before their incorporation as part of a perfectly balanced ecosystem thriving on the Yuba, Bear and American river watersheds – and, over time, their sacred places are being rediscovered and cherished.

“The District experienced a ‘cultural revolution’ from the mid-20th Century that has reshaped the local economy and which continues to influence the statewide arts scene.”

Steeped in history and with the most famous gold-mining district in California, the District experienced a ‘cultural revolution’ from the mid-20th Century that has reshaped the local economy and which continues to influence the statewide arts scene. Starting in the ’60s, Beat Generation and deep ecology poet Gary Snyder, singer Utah Phillips and a host of authors and musicians settled here. Now, for over 50 high-tech companies – including a virtual and augmented reality hub – creativity occurs in peaceful, natural environments far from major urban centers.

Between them, Grass Valley and Nevada City are home to the Nevada Theatre, the oldest theater in California, and over 100 arts-related organizations producing upwards of a thousand events a year, scores of annual festivals, street fairs, art walks and studio tours, and a generous base of artists and makers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cultural District Partners

Nevada County Arts Council

City of Grass Valley

City of Nevada City

Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce

Nevada City Chamber of Commerce

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Sep 4, 2025 Jul 15, 2025 Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District Mini-Grants | Now Open! Jul 15, 2025

The GVNC Cultural District is excited to announce the launch of the Mini-Grant program for Individual Artists & Arts Organizations/Collaboratives.

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