Nevada County is known for its charm—quaint towns, creative energy, and a neighbor-helping-neighbor kind of vibe. But beneath that surface are two community powerhouses doing the heavy lifting to support local families and fuel our cultural soul: the Community Support Network of Nevada County (CSNNC) and the Nevada County Arts Council (NCAC). If you’ve never heard of them, don’t worry—you’re not alone. But once you know, you’ll wonder how this place ran without them.
Community Support Network of Nevada County (CSNNC)
Think of CSNNC as the thread weaving together all the people and organizations trying to make life better for families and kids here. They’re not just one service—they’re a collaborative network of nonprofits, county agencies, educators, and caregivers all focused on child and family well-being.
They host monthly public meetings, often via Zoom, where community leaders brainstorm solutions, share updates, and find ways to fill gaps in services. It’s like the behind-the-scenes playbook for how Nevada County takes care of its own.
They also work hand-in-hand with the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Western Nevada County, putting on outreach campaigns and events like Pinwheels for Prevention to bring awareness to issues that impact our youngest residents. If your work or life involves children—whether as a parent, teacher, coach, or neighbor—this is a network worth knowing.
Explore more or join a meeting:
https://csnnc.org
Nevada County Arts Council
Art isn’t just for gallery walls—it’s for community connection, identity, and joy. The Nevada County Arts Council (NCAC) champions all of that and more. Designated by the state as the backbone of two California Cultural Districts (Grass Valley–Nevada City and Truckee), this organization funds artists, promotes local talent, and makes sure rural voices are part of the statewide creative conversation.
They run the GV-NC Cultural District Mini-Grant Program, giving real dollars to local creatives, cultural leaders, and organizations to bring their visions to life. Music, poetry, murals, storytelling, traditional crafts—you name it, they fund it.
The Council also leads “Culture Forward,” a long-term planning initiative gathering public input to shape the future of arts access and creative opportunities in our region. Plus, if you’re an artist or creative looking for exposure or support, they maintain an Artist Directory, post grant opportunities, and send out a Culture Connection newsletter that’s honestly worth subscribing to.
Learn more and get involved here:
https://nevadacountyarts.org
You don’t have to be struggling to benefit from CSNNC, and you don’t have to be an artist to appreciate what the NCAC is building. These groups support resilience, connection, and creativity—three things every thriving community needs. They fly under the radar because they’re too busy doing the work to worry about making a splash. But today, let’s give them that spotlight.
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