About the Cultural District
Celebrating California’s Diversity
The Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District is one of just 14 state-designated California Cultural Districts, including our sister district in Truckee.
California Cultural Districts highlight the cultural legacy of our state's most valuable resource—its diversity. From larger, urban areas to uncharted rural locations, each district helps grow and sustain authentic arts and culture opportunities, increase the visibility of local artists, and promote socio-economic and ethnic diversity through culture and creative expression.
Why GVNC?
Steeped in history and with the most famous gold-mining district in California, Grass Valley and Nevada City experienced a “cultural revolution” that has reshaped the local economy and continues to influence the statewide arts scene. Starting in the ’60s, Beat Generation and deep ecology poet Gary Snyder, singer Utah Phillips, artists Charles Woods and David Osborn, and a host of authors and musicians settled here.
Between them, Grass Valley and Nevada City are home to the Nevada Theatre, the oldest theater in California, and more than 100 arts-related organizations producing upwards of 1,000 events a year, scores of annual festivals, street fairs, art walks and studio tours, and a generous base of artists, makers and culture bearers.
As well as for its arts, the district is known for its thriving cannabis industry; its vineyards, wineries, and tasting rooms; and a trail network of outstanding natural beauty. The Nisenan people lived in the region for thousands of years 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.
Cultural Asset Map
Our interactive map features hundreds of locations, including galleries, performance venues, festivals, restaurants, places of historical interest, our spectacular hiking trails, and so much more.
How to Use the Map
Click on the I button in the upper left hand corner of the map to select filters for what you are interested in. Double-click on the map to zoom in to street level.
Partners
The Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District is a partnership between Nevada County Arts Council, the City of Nevada City, the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, the City of Grass Valley, and the Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce.