Our Mission
The Ink People changes lives by connecting the community with resources for cultural development. We encourage people to exercise their humanity, build civic discourse, and engage their creative potential. We are actively weaving the arts into the fabric of our community.

Weaving the Arts Into the Fabric of Our Community Since 1979

        The Ink People has been changing people’s lives since 1979 by connecting the community with resources for cultural development. We encourage people to exercise their humanity, build civic discourse, and engage their creative potential. We have a long time presence in Humboldt County and northern California as a community-based, grassroots, artist-run, arts and culture organization. We are organized on community access principles and the belief that art, in all its forms, is essential to the human spirit and well being.

       We base our activities in a philosophy of sharing and community building. We think it is important to listen to people’s hopes and dreams, and to help realize them, but not do it for them.  We feel that arts and culture should be an integral and conscious part of everyone’s life, so we set about weaving the arts back into the fabric of our community.  We know that young people are the future and are incredibly challenged by today’s world, so we try to give them tools to build successful and fulfilling lives.

       The Ink People was co-founded by two printmakers, Brenda Tuxford & Libby Maynard who wanted to create a peer support structure for artists, educate the community about the value of the arts, and use art to effect change. A small, but passionate staff run day to day operations with help from over 100 volunteers and independent contractors.

       With over 400 members, we are nurturing culture through the education and involvement of artists and audiences. The DreamMaker Program supports over 70 self-directing projects created by people who want to make their community a better place through arts and culture. We offer administrative support, management, and capacity building training. Other ongoing programs include exhibitions, performances, educational opportunities for all ages, a monthly newsletter, and the MARZ Project, which provides at-risk youth with tools to create positive change in their communities.

Learn more about the first 40 years of Ink History.

Ink People, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt California nonprofit corporation. 2017 Form 990 (link to PDF)

In addition to our supporting members, The Ink People would like to thank these funders:

Major Funders:
National Endowment for the Arts;
California Arts Council;
Humboldt Area Foundation;
Melvin and Grace McLean Foundation;
Save The Redwoods League; Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Humboldt Sponsors