Mission & History

The Alliance for California Traditional Arts’ (ACTA’s) mission is to “ensure that California’s future holds California’s past.”  ACTA is a statewide nonprofit that promotes and supports ways for cultural traditions to thrive now and into the future by providing advocacy, resources, and connections for folk & traditional artists and their communities.

ACTA was founded in 1997 by cultural workers, arts administrators, and traditional artists to address the void in statewide folk & traditional arts leadership.  ACTA incorporated in 2001 and achieved 501(c)(3) status in December 2002.

Recognized for its culturally competent leadership, intellectual capital, and excellence in program administration, ACTA is the California Art Council’s official partner in serving the state’s folk & traditional arts field.