Vets and arts

Friends of the Arts, a Chico-based nonprofit, has received an $8,000 grant to help veterans connect with the arts, the organization announced Tuesday (June 13) via press release.

The money comes from the California Arts Council’s Veteran’s Initiative in the Arts, a state agency program, and is aimed at providing equity, access and opportunities for veterans to participate in quality arts programming.

Friends of the Arts—run by Debra Lucero (pictured)—will use the money to partner with the Museum of Northern California Art (Monca) to fund a two-month series of veteran-centered activities, including live music events, an exhibition of art created by veterans, and time at Monca (housed in the old Veterans Memorial Hall on The Esplanade) for veterans to view and make art. Veterans’ stories also will be filmed and shown on Chico’s BCAC TV, a community access cable station run by the nonprofit.