What Merced County Arts Council does

Merced County Arts Council (MCAC), founded in 1978, is a California-incorporated 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Merced, California. It operates the Multicultural Arts Center (The MAC), a 28,000 sq ft interdisciplinary fine arts and education facility at 645 W. Main Street developed in 1996 through a public-private partnership with the City of Merced. The MAC houses four art galleries plus the Arbor Gallery co-op, performance spaces, classrooms, and two specialized program centers: the Enrichment Center (a licensed community care facility serving up to 24 adults with developmental disabilities as a vendor for the Central Valley Regional Center) and the Central Valley PRIDE Center (an LGBTQIA+ resource hub). The organization delivers programming across multiple verticals: ARTREE (in-school arts education since 1984), Kids' Day (free monthly children's art project), Adult Classes (painting, drawing, figure sessions, Art & Spirits events), Mac Theatre Camp (ages 10-18), and year-round ticketed exhibitions, performances, and community events.

MCAC operates a community-driven go-to-market model anchored in word-of-mouth, school partnerships, local media, and grassroots referrals. Its technology infrastructure is minimal: a Squarespace-hosted website, NeonCRM for ticketing/donations/memberships, and standard social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube). No proprietary technology systems, AI/ML capabilities, or platform APIs were identified. Revenue is generated across six streams: memberships (subscription/recurring), tax-deductible donations, facility rentals, event ticket sales ($10-$275 range), class and workshop fees ($20-$400 per offering), and corporate/organizational sponsorships displayed on the website and at events. Sponsors include the City of Merced, California Arts Council, Dignity Health, Foster Farms, F&M Bank, and other local/regional entities. The organization has 1-10 employees and serves Merced County directly while participating in regional regranting and fellowship administration spanning 17 California counties through the California Arts Council network.

Name

Merced County Arts Council

Legal name

Merced County Arts Council, Inc.

Website

https://artsmerced.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Merced County Arts Council is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1978 that operates the 28,000 sq ft Multicultural Arts Center (The MAC) in Merced, California, delivering arts education, exhibitions, performances, and community programs to families, schools, and underserved populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH), Cultural, Arts & Humanities Community Education (Museums/Arts Councils) (EDAAAFAD)

Keywords

• Arts education services
• Community arts programming
• Arts facility management
• Nonprofit arts organization
• Performing arts venue

Headquarters

HQ city

Merced

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Memberships: Annual membership program offering benefits to supporters of the arts council
2. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals and organizations supporting arts in Merced County
3. Facility Rentals: Rental of MAC spaces for events, meetings, and private functions
4. Event Ticket Sales: Proceeds from ticketed performances including theater productions and special events
5. Class and Workshop Fees: Registration fees for adult classes, kids' programs, theater camp, and art workshops
6. Sponsorships: Corporate and organizational sponsorships displayed on website and at events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Merced County Arts Council operates The MAC (Multicultural Arts Center), a 28,000 sq ft arts facility in downtown Merced, California, offering art galleries, performance spaces, and classrooms. The organization delivers arts education programs (ARTREE, Kids' Day, Adult Classes, Mac Theatre Camp), exhibitions, ticketed events, facility rentals, the Enrichment Center for adults with developmental disabilities, and the Central Valley PRIDE Center for LGBTQIA+ resources.

Product overview

Merced County Arts Council operates The MAC (Multicultural Arts Center), a single-site arts facility offering multiple interconnected programs and services. The core offering is the 28,000 sq. ft. venue housing four galleries plus the Arbor Gallery for rotating exhibits, the Enrichment Center for artists with developmental disabilities, and the Central Valley PRIDE Center for LGBTQIA+ resources. Education programs include ARTREE (in-school and community arts workshops), Kids' Day (free monthly children's art), Adult Classes (painting/drawing), and Mac Theatre Camp (youth musical theater). The venue also hosts ticketed performances, gallery openings, workshops, and community events throughout the year. These programs collectively serve the Merced County community through arts exposure, arts education, exhibition opportunities, and inclusive community space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The MAC (Multicultural Arts Center) A 28,000 sq. ft. interdisciplinary fine arts and education facility in downtown Merced, California, housing four art galleries, performance spaces, classrooms, and the offices of the Merced County Arts Council. Open to the public for exhibits, events, and educational programming.
• ARTREE An arts education program serving public and private schools plus the community, providing workshops, demonstrations, performances, and teacher in-services by professional artists in dance, drama, music, literary arts, and visual arts.
• Kids' Day A monthly free kids' art project program (except December) for children ages 4 and up, held at The MAC to spark creativity and imagination.
• Adult Classes Six-week painting and drawing classes for adults held Thursday evenings at The MAC, including Art & Spirits paint nights and Figure Drawing sessions.
• Mac Theatre Camp A theater workshop program for young performers ages 10-18, featuring musical theater training with professional band accompaniment and public performances.
• Enrichment Center (EC) A licensed community care facility providing a forum for exploration, practice, and study in visual and performing arts for adult artists with developmental disabilities. Located on the third floor of The MAC, offering art studios, performing arts studios, workshops, and an EC Store for artists to sell their work.
• Arbor Gallery A co-op gallery located on the first floor of The Merced Multicultural Arts Center, featuring work by member artists available for visit during regular business hours and events, with 70% commission to artists.
• Central Valley PRIDE Center @ The MAC An LGBTQIA+ resource center housed on the third floor of The MAC, providing free mental health and medical resources, peer-led support groups, educational workshops, job opportunities, advocacy, and visibility to the Central Valley's LGBTQIA+ community.
• Exhibits Program Professional exhibition opportunities featuring local, regional, statewide, and national artists across four galleries at The MAC, with an 18-24 month exhibition calendar accepting diverse media including installation, new media, and performance art.
• Events & Performances Year-round cultural events, theatrical productions, concerts, book launches, workshops, and community gatherings at The MAC and throughout Merced County, with tickets sold via NeonCRM.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves children and adults county-wide through in-school, community, and center-based programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of MercedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic-private partnership established in 1996 to develop the Multicultural Arts Center facility. City of Merced is a key municipal partner supporting arts and culture in the community.
• California Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState arts agency providing grant funding and programming support. MCAC partners with CAC for individual artist fellowship programs and Creative Corps grant initiatives.
• Fresno Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead Agency for Micro-Region 2 of the California Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship Program covering Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, and Tulare counties.
• SV CREATEScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional arts organization assisting with hyperlocal panelist representation and support for Individual Artist Fellowship applicants across Central California.
• United Way of Merced CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead administering organization for HeARTland Creative Corps regional regranting program using $4.2 million CAC grant funding for arts employment in high priority communities.
• Stanislaus Arts CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering agency in HeARTland Creative Corps regional regranting program spanning Merced, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne counties.
• Tuolumne County ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering agency in HeARTland Creative Corps regional regranting program.
• Central Valley Regional CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState regional center vendor for the Enrichment Center program serving adults with developmental disabilities. Provides funding and regulatory oversight for EC services.
• Boys and Girls Club of MercedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for after-school arts programming and youth enrichment activities.
• Merced College Arts DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for arts education and student involvement.
• Merced County Office of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty education office partnership supporting ARTREE school programs and arts education initiatives.
• UC Merced ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity arts program partnership for collaborative programming, student engagement, and cultural events including co-presented performances.
• Merced County LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity resource partner supporting arts awareness and programming accessibility.
• Merced ShakespearefestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater company presenting annual productions at The MAC including 25th anniversary Doctor Faustus.
• Merced SymphonycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal symphony orchestra presenting concerts at The MAC performance venue.
• Playhouse MercedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal theater company utilizing The MAC venue for productions.
• Merced TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric theater organization and venue partner in the Merced arts community.
• Central Valley PridecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQIA+ advocacy organization operating the Central Valley PRIDE Center housed at The MAC, providing resources, support groups, and visibility initiatives.
• Arbor GallerycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-op gallery located on first floor of The MAC, operated independently by artists, selling artwork with 70% commission to artists.
• Phoenix Creative CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative arts organization providing online ARTREE classes during pandemic and collaborative productions including theater shows.
• Bear Creek Ukulele SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity music group holding regular jam sessions at The MAC.
• Merced Academy of DanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance studio partner in the Merced arts community.
• LGBTQ AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal LGBTQ advocacy organization partnering on community programming.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommittee organizing annual MLK celebration events at The MAC.
• Writers' GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal writing community group meeting at The MAC.
• Vatthanatham Lao FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLao cultural organization hosting annual arts and culture camp culminating in performances at The MAC.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• SV CREATES: San Joaquin Valley regional arts intermediary supporting individual artist fellowships across the same Central California micro-region as MCAC. Adjacent mission, complementary grantmaking function.

Others

• California Arts Council: State arts agency that funds MCAC and its partners. Not a peer but a primary funding source and ecosystem orchestrator whose grant priorities directly shape MCAC's opportunity set.
• City of Merced: Municipal partner enabling the 1996 private/public partnership that built The MAC facility. Functions as a landlord and infrastructure partner rather than a competitive peer.
• Central Valley Regional Center: State-funded regional center that contracts MCAC's Enrichment Center as a vendor for adult developmental disability services. Not a peer but a key contracting and funding partner.
• United Way of Merced County: Lead administering organization for the HeARTland Creative Corps $4.2M regional regranting program involving MCAC. Functions as a fiscal and program partner rather than a direct peer.

Direct peers

• Tuolumne County Arts: Tuolumne County's designated local arts agency and a HeARTland Creative Corps partner with MCAC. Similar nonprofit structure, county-level scope, and community arts programming profile.
• Arts Council of Kern County: Central Valley regional arts council providing operating support, programming, and exhibition spaces. Highly comparable in geography, nonprofit status, and community-focused arts delivery model.
• Stanislaus Arts Council: Modesto-based regional arts council actively partnering with MCAC on the HeARTland Creative Corps regranting program. Comparable in scale, mission, and Central Valley community focus.
• Fresno Arts Council: Central California regional arts council serving Fresno and surrounding counties. Lead agency for the same CAC micro-region as MCAC, making it the most direct organizational peer with comparable mission, grant-making role, and community arts programming.

Broad incumbents

• Sacramento Regional Arts Council: Large regional arts council administering significant CAC funding across the greater Sacramento area. Larger and better-funded than MCAC but covers overlapping functions including grantmaking, public art, and community arts programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC74wViymBGhBy51fo2ruwoA/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/arts.merced
• Instagraminstagram.com/macartseducation
• Xx.com/artsmerced
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/merced-county-arts-council

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Merced County Arts Council