Placer Artists Tour Programs
Placer Artists Tour
SPONSOR THE PROGRAMS
2025 Programs
Your donation will also help support our partnership programs:
Joanne K. Neft New & Emerging Artists Fund
Outside the Box: Reimagined 2026
Natural Wonders
Symphony and Art in the Park
Tour Musicians
Joanne K. Neft New & Emerging Artists Fund
A large part of the mission of Placer Artists Tour is to support and encourage Placer County’s new and emerging artists. We focus on mentoring these artists so that they have a successful Tour and receive positive feedback to support their artistic journey.
Joanne Neft has supported the arts in Placer County for over 40 years. She was instrumental in the creation of the arts center previous known as The Arts Building and now called General Gomez Arts.
Artist Spotlight: Kellyn Planteen
Placer Artists Tour Board Member
“As a new artist, taking the leap into the Placer Artists Tour felt both exciting and intimidating. You never really know if something new will pay off, and that uncertainty can make it hard to say ‘yes.’ The Joanne Neft New & Emerging Artists Fund changed that for me. Not only did it reduce the financial pressure of my first year, it also connected me with a mentor and a community that made sure I had the support I needed to succeed.
“Now in my second year, I’ve felt much more prepared—so much so that I’ve taken on roles within the organization and have been able to pay it forward by helping artists who are just starting their own Tour journey. It’s been such a meaningful experience, and I’m genuinely excited for what next year will bring.”
Artist Spotlight: Kristin Aplin
Interview by Kellyn Planteen, Placer Artists Tour Board Member
Kristin Aplin joined the Placer Artists Tour as a first-year participant in 2024. In this interview, she shares what it was like preparing for the Tour, how the Joanne Neft Fund supported her, and what she hopes new artists will take away from her experience.
Question: Before joining the Tour, what felt exciting—and what felt intimidating—about participating for the first time?
Kristen Aplin: I felt intimidated because I wasn’t sure I could produce enough work in time for the Tour, and I didn’t have a studio to show from. I also had no idea how my work would be received. At the same time, it was exciting to have the chance to share my paintings in what felt like a personal show, even though I was sharing a venue with a few other artists.
Q: How did the Joanne Neft Fund for First-Year Artists influence your decision to apply?
KA: It really helped me jump in before I felt fully ready. The many expenses of showing for the first time were daunting.
Q: What would you want donors to know about how their support directly affects first-year artists?
KA: I felt the support of the Placer Artists Tour for artists who have not had a lot of experience showing their work before. It is hard to take the first step for the first time–emotionally and financially.
Q: In your second year, what feels different? In what ways do you feel more prepared or confident?
KA: I feel part of the PAT community. I know many people are willing to support me and my art practice in whatever ways they are able. I also realize how fun it is to share my work and my processes with other artists, friends, and potential patrons.
Q:How has being part of the Placer Artists Tour changed your career or opened doors you didn’t expect?
KA: The community of artists I have met has been very enjoyable, supportive and informative. I have gotten much helpful advice from artists doing this longer than I have. I have explored my own marketing for the first time. I certainly have been enriched by my experience with the Tour.
Q:Anything else you want to add?
KA: I would encourage all artists, most especially emerging artists, to take every opportunity to participate in Placer Artists Tour activities. It is a wonderful way to jump start an art career.
Her inspiration and involvement helped create “Outside the Box”, a program formerly presented by the Arts Council of Placer County, and now being “Reimagined” by Placer Artists Tour in May, 2025.
Joanne has dedicated many years to discovering new artists and supporting them early in their careers, which inspired us to name this important program to acknowledge her.
These are some of the ways this fund contributes to the support of new artists:
- Underwriting fee reductions for first time Tour artists
- Mentoring & workshops:
- An Application workshop for first time artists
- A Tour Orientation just for first time artists
- Mentoring by Regional Leaders and Tour Founder Helen Phillips
- The New Artists Showcase, hosted in 2024 by Springhill Suites
- Surveying Tour artists to find what future workshops would help in their career development
Donate now to join Joanne Neft and Placer Artists Tour to inspire new artists in our community!
Thank you for your consideration and support of the 2025 Placer Artists Tour.
The Placer Artists Tour, showcasing talented Placer County artists, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.