Annual Event
Mayor’s Ball for the Arts
Saturday, March 20, 2027. An annual celebration and fundraiser honoring artists, creative achievements, and the cultural life of Riverside.
Supporting RAC programs and free arts access
5-9 p.m.; venue and theme details to be announced
Early bird tickets are $75; tickets are $100 after the early bird deadline, to be announced
Nominations open in November; voting begins in early 2027
About the Event
A celebration of artists and community
The Mayor’s Ball for the Arts is one of Riverside Arts Council’s major annual events, bringing together artists, community members, civic leaders, sponsors, and supporters to celebrate the creative life of the region.
The next Mayor’s Ball for the Arts is scheduled for Saturday, March 20, 2027, from 5-9 p.m.. Early bird tickets will be $75, and tickets will be $100 after the early bird deadline.
Each year, the event helps raise funds for RAC programs that support free arts programming, artist opportunities, youth arts education, public art, community engagement, and creative access throughout Riverside County.
Why It Matters
Celebration fuels access.
Proceeds from the Mayor’s Ball help sustain free arts programming, artist support, public programs, creative learning, and community access across Riverside.
Awards & Recognition
Honoring creative impact selected by the community
Mayor’s Ball award categories recognize the artists, organizations, events, public projects, performances, and creative leaders shaping cultural life across Riverside County.
Public Artwork
Recognizing public art, murals, installations, and creative work that shapes shared spaces.
Art-Based Events
Celebrating events and gatherings that bring artists, audiences, and communities together.
Musical Performance
Recognizing musicians, bands, composers, DJs, and music projects that connect with audiences.
Theatre Performance
Honoring theatre productions, performers, and performance-based creative work.
Dance Performance
Celebrating dancers, companies, and movement-based performances.
Literary Arts
Honoring writers, poets, spoken word artists, publishers, and literary projects.
Art Facility
Recognizing venues, galleries, museums, and spaces that support artists and public access to the arts.
Film / Video
Honoring film, video, media, and screen-based creative work.
Creative Revolutionary Award
Special recognition for creative leaders whose work has made a meaningful impact in the arts.
Past Honorees
2026 Award Winners & Honorees
The 2026 Mayor’s Ball for the Arts celebrated artists, organizations, events, performances, public projects, and creative leaders recognized by the community.
Dual Language Immersion Mural
By Zachary Lewis & Riverside Arts Magnet.
Mucho Gusto Fest
Celebrating arts events and gatherings that bring artists, audiences, and communities together.
The Good Daze
Recognized for their performance at Riverside Art & Music Festival.
Towards Zero
By Riverside Community Players.
The Limonadas Dance Company
Recognized for their performance at Mucho Gusto Festival.
James Coats
Poet + Author.
Division 9 Gallery
Recognizing venues, galleries, museums, and spaces that support the arts.
Martin Sanchez, Angel Baby & Cati Porter
Special recognition for exceptional contributions to the arts.
2026 Silver & Bronze Honorees
Silver and Bronze honorees were also recognized across each award category, highlighting the depth of creative work happening throughout the community.
Nominations & Voting
The community helps choose who is recognized
Community members will be invited to nominate artists, organizations, events, projects, and creative leaders for Mayor’s Ball awards. Nominations are expected to open in November, with public voting beginning in early 2027.
Event Experience
An evening of food, drinks, entertainment, and art
The Mayor’s Ball brings the community together for an evening of celebration, entertainment, local art, and recognition. Past events have included themed experiences, food and drinks, performances, awards, silent auctions, and artwork created by local artists.
Recap
Look back at the celebration
Mayor’s Ball brings artists, supporters, sponsors, civic leaders, and community members together to celebrate creative impact and raise support for RAC programs. The 2026 celebration was Rock of the Ages themed and held at The Box in the Fox Entertainment Plaza.
Sponsor Recognition
Thank you to our Mayor’s Ball sponsors
Sponsor support helps make Mayor’s Ball possible and strengthens RAC programs, artist opportunities, public art, creative learning, and community access.
Food Sponsors
Thank you to our food sponsors and partners
Food sponsors helped create a welcoming celebration experience for guests, artists, award recipients, and community supporters throughout the evening.
Sponsors & Supporters
Help make the celebration possible
Sponsors, donors, artists, volunteers, and community partners help make the Mayor’s Ball possible. Support for this annual event helps RAC sustain arts programming and community access throughout the year.
Support free arts programming, artist opportunities, and community access.
02 Sponsor or PartnerExplore sponsorship opportunities for Mayor’s Ball, annual events, programs, and artists.
03 EventsExplore RAC events, Artswalk, annual celebrations, and community arts happenings.
04 ProgramsLearn how RAC programs support artists, youth, public art, and creative access.