Inside the California Center for the Arts, Escondido
We’re excited to shine a spotlight on one of our valued community partners: the California Center for the Arts, Escondido (CCAE). As a hub for creativity, education, and cultural connection in North County San Diego, CCAE plays a vital role in making the arts accessible and inclusive for all.
We spoke with Candice Cleland, Community Relations Specialist at the CCAE, to learn more about their mission, the beloved Música en la Plaza series, and how the community can get involved.
CCAE has a rich history—can you share how the center was founded and how its mission has evolved over time?
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido has always been about one thing: bringing people together through the arts. Back in 1985, the people of Escondido voted to fund a cultural center that would serve as the heart of the community, and that dream became a reality thanks to the City’s partnership with the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Foundation, an independent nonprofit created to manage the space and keep the community at the center of everything.
Since then, the Foundation has taken that role seriously. For over 30 years, we've been the ones behind the scenes making sure the Center not only runs smoothly but continues to grow with our community. A volunteer Board of Trustees, made up of passionate local leaders, helps guide the vision, while staff and volunteers work daily to make the Center a place where the arts can truly thrive.
In 2024, we brought everyone—board, staff, volunteers, and community members—together to map out our future. The result? A five-year strategic plan focused on the values that matter most to us:
Community: We believe the arts build stronger, more connected communities.
Creativity: We celebrate imagination and always aim for artistic excellence.
Adaptability: We’re open to change and always listening to what our community needs.
Education: We love inspiring people of all ages to learn, grow, and explore through the arts.
Fiscal Responsibility: We know how important it is to manage our resources wisely so we can keep doing what we do.
So while our mission has evolved over time, our core purpose hasn’t changed: to make sure the arts are accessible, meaningful, and a vital part of life in Escondido.
Diversity, equity & inclusion is clearly a priority—how does CCAE implement these values across programs and events?
At the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, we believe the arts are for everyone. Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords for us, they’re at the heart of what we do.
We know that the arts are richer and more powerful when they reflect a variety of voices, experiences, and perspectives. That’s why we work hard to make sure our programming, events, and day-to-day operations are inclusive and accessible to all.
Here’s how we bring that to life:
We celebrate people of all backgrounds, and see every unique story and perspective as a strength.
We actively break down barriers, acknowledging that not everyone has had equal access to the arts, and doing what we can to change that.
We create welcoming spaces and programs where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected.
We collaborate with our community, listening and learning so we can better reflect the people we serve.
We support underrepresented artists by giving them the resources and platforms they need to thrive.
And we hold ourselves accountable, constantly checking in on our own practices to make sure we’re walking the walk.
You’ll see this commitment in everything from who’s on our stage to who’s in our audience. Whether it’s student discounts, veteran access, outreach programs, or community partnerships, we’re here to make the arts accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for all.
You host a wide variety of programming, from concerts to museum exhibitions and educational programs. What guiding principles or community goals shape your programming calendar?
At the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Foundation, everything we program, whether it’s a concert, an exhibition, or an educational workshop, is guided by our mission to enrich the community through the power of the arts. We want every event and experience to reflect the vibrancy, diversity, and creativity of the people we serve.
When we build our programming calendar, we ask ourselves a few key questions:
Does this create meaningful access to the arts for our community?
Are we uplifting diverse voices and perspectives?
Does it inspire connection, creativity, and learning?
We strive to strike a balance between world-class performances and local talent, between culturally rich exhibitions and hands-on learning opportunities for kids and adults alike. From family-friendly festivals and student matinees to thought-provoking visual art and high-energy concerts, our goal is to offer something for everyone.
Ultimately, we see the Center as a gathering place, somewhere people can come together to celebrate, reflect, learn, and be inspired. And that vision shapes everything we do, all year long.
The Musica en la Plaza series is one of your community highlights. We're honored to be a part of it! What inspired its creation and what role do you see it playing in North County San Diego's cultural life?
Thank you! We’re so glad to have you as part of our Música en la Plaza series! This program holds a special place in our hearts because it truly reflects the spirit of our mission: celebrating culture, building community, and making the arts accessible to everyone.
Música en la Plaza was created as a way to honor the rich Latino heritage that’s so deeply rooted in Escondido and throughout North County San Diego. We wanted to create a free, family-friendly space where people could gather, dance, connect, and enjoy incredible live music in a relaxed outdoor setting. It’s more than a concert series, it’s a cultural celebration that brings neighbors together.
Over the years, it’s become one of our most cherished community traditions. Whether you come for the mariachi, cumbia, salsa, or norteño, the goal is the same: to uplift local talent, create shared experiences, and foster a sense of belonging through the universal language of music.
We see Música en la Plaza as a vital part of the cultural fabric of North County an open invitation for everyone to come together, celebrate heritage, and experience the joy and connection that the arts can bring.
The Musica en la Plaza series is one of your community highlights. We're honored to be a part of it! What inspired its creation and what role do you see it playing in North County San Diego's cultural life?
Thank you! We’re so glad to have you as part of our Música en la Plaza series! This program holds a special place in our hearts because it truly reflects the spirit of our mission: celebrating culture, building community, and making the arts accessible to everyone.
Música en la Plaza was created as a way to honor the rich Latino heritage that’s so deeply rooted in Escondido and throughout North County San Diego. We wanted to create a free, family-friendly space where people could gather, dance, connect, and enjoy incredible live music in a relaxed outdoor setting. It’s more than a concert series, it’s a cultural celebration that brings neighbors together.
Over the years, it’s become one of our most cherished community traditions. Whether you come for the mariachi, cumbia, salsa, or norteño, the goal is the same: to uplift local talent, create shared experiences, and foster a sense of belonging through the universal language of music.
We see Música en la Plaza as a vital part of the cultural fabric of North County an open invitation for everyone to come together, celebrate heritage, and experience the joy and connection that the arts can bring.
Many CCAE events are free or low-cost. What advice do you have for families or individuals who want to engage with the arts but are new to the center?
We love welcoming new faces to the Center, and the best advice we can give is: just come as you are. Whether it’s your first time attending a concert, exploring a museum, or dancing in the plaza, there’s truly something for everyone here and many of our events are completely free or very low-cost, making it easy to jump in and explore.
If you're new to the Center, start with one of our community favorites like Winter Wonderland, Día de los Muertos, Independence Day Festival, Música en la Plaza, or Hidden City Sounds. These events are designed to be approachable, family-friendly, and fun no tickets or formalities required. They’re a great way to experience the heart of what we do: bringing people together through music, culture, and creativity.
We also encourage visitors to follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter so they never miss a chance to attend upcoming performances, art exhibits, or workshops many of which are affordable or free.
Most importantly, know that you don’t need to be an “arts expert” to enjoy what we offer. Curiosity is all it takes. The Center is your Center, and we’re here to make sure everyone feels welcome, inspired, and at home.
How can locals get more involved—through volunteering, internships, or other support?
We love when community members want to get more involved this Center truly thrives because of the people who support it. Whether you’re looking to give your time, share your talents, or help behind the scenes, there are plenty of ways to jump in and be part of the magic.
Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with us. From ushering at performances to helping with family festivals, being a docent at one of our museum exhibitions, or community events like Música en la Plaza and Día de los Muertos, our volunteers play a huge role in making these experiences meaningful and memorable for everyone who attends.
We also offer internships for students and emerging professionals interested in arts administration, marketing, production, and education. It’s a great hands-on opportunity to learn how a cultural organization works from the inside out.
And for those who want to support in other ways whether it’s through donations, attending events, becoming a member, or spreading the word about our programs we’re always grateful. Every bit of support helps us keep the arts alive, accessible, and thriving in Escondido and throughout North County.
What future goals or upcoming programs are you most excited about—especially in expanding community events like Musica en la Plaza or public workshops?
We’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead! Our mission has always been to connect people through the power of the arts, and in the coming months and years, we’re focused on deepening that connection by expanding some of our most beloved community programs.
We’re looking to grow our free music series even further by adding more shows, new genres, and deeper collaborations with local musicians and cultural organizations. It’s such a joyful, community-centered series, and we want to make it even more reflective of the diversity and creativity of North County.
We’re also developing more hands-on public workshops, especially for families and youth. Whether it’s visual arts, music, dance, or creative writing, we’re committed to making sure there are fun, affordable (and often free!) ways for people of all ages to explore their creativity.
Looking further ahead, we’re excited to build on the success of events like Día de los Muertos, Winter Wonderland, and Hidden City Sounds by introducing new cultural festivals and neighborhood-based partnerships that bring the arts directly into the heart of the community.
At the end of the day, our goal is simple: more access, more inclusion, and more opportunities to connect through the arts. And we can’t wait to see where that takes us next.
How can community members or local artists help support that vision going forward?
We truly believe that the arts are strongest when they’re community-driven, and we welcome the support of local artists, creatives, and neighbors in bringing our vision to life.
There are so many ways to get involved whether it's volunteering at events, sharing your talents through a workshop or performance, or simply showing up to support local artists and cultural programs. If you're an artist, we’d love to hear from you, whether you're interested in exhibiting your work, performing at one of our community events, or collaborating on public programming.
We also invite community members to become advocates for the arts, help us spread the word, invite friends and neighbors to attend events, or consider donating to help keep our programs accessible and growing. Every bit of support helps us expand our reach and deepen our impact.
Ultimately, this Center belongs to the community. By working together, we can ensure it continues to be a place where creativity flourishes, cultures are celebrated, and everyone feels welcome.
From Música en la Plaza to hands-on workshops and cultural festivals, the California Center for the Arts, Escondido continues to serve as a dynamic gathering place for creativity and connection. Whether you’re attending an event, volunteering, or exploring their educational programs, there’s a place for everyone at the Center. To learn more, get involved, or support their work, visit artcenter.org.