The City of Pomona is the fifth largest city in Los Angeles County, with a population of approximately 163,000 people. Named after the Roman goddess of fruit, the region was a thriving agricultural area in the 1800s. Pomona was thriving until the mid-1950s, when construction of the I-10 freeway bisected the city and precipitated an economic downturn. Efforts to revitalize the downtown area have be
en underway since the late 1970s and have included an effort to preserve historic structures. The City established its Cultural Arts Commission in 1972. The Pomona Arts Colony was founded in 1994 and established its Second Saturday Art Walks in 1998. Currently, Second Saturdays draw about 5000 visitors each month. An estimated 500,000 people annually participate in the nightlife of downtown Pomona; the Arts Colony is one of the primary draws. In addition to its downtown arts scene, Pomona also boasts 27 city parks, six historic sites, four museums, two universities, 200 places of worship, the Pomona Youth Orchestra, the Pomona Concert Band and the Repertory Opera Company. The Cultural Alliance of Pomona was established in 1999 and has brought professional musical performances to the city. The Aztlan Cultural Art Exhibit, an annual exhibition of Latino arts and culture, has in seven years become nationally recognized. Residents and visitors also participate in numerous cultural festivals, among them the Chalk Festival, the Christmas Parade, the Tet Festival, Cinco de Mayo, Juneteenth and the Smogdance Film Festival. In 2010, the City of Pomona was selected to join four other municipalities throughout Los Angeles County to receive support from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts to develop a Cultural Plan for the City. This plan articulates the vision, a series of goals, objectives and strategies for the future of arts and culture in the city. This plan was adopted by Pomona's City Council in January 2011.
