El Dorado Arts Council and the El Dorado County Office of Economic Development want to know what’s good about the arts business climate and how it can be made even better.

During the month of October, artists, arts organizations, arts businesses and arts venues are asked to participate in the county’s first Arts Census.

“The goal of the Arts Census is to better define the creative sector of our local economy. We want to know how many practicing artists, musicians, actors, dancers, writers and poets there are in El Dorado County. Galleries, music stores, frame shops and other arts-related businesses are part of the creative economy, too. Finding out how they perceive the business climate is important,” Deb Jensen, executive director of the El Dorado Arts Council, said in a press release.

She noted that there are dozens of nonprofit arts organizations as well as venues that integrate the arts, like wineries and cafes, that play a significant role in the local economy.

The Arts Census will be conducted throughout the month of October and will include all communities from South Lake Tahoe to El Dorado Hills, and Cool to Somerset. Artists, arts businesses, and arts organizations may call to schedule an Arts Census interview, which will take about 15 minutes to conduct. Contact Deb Jensen, djensen@eldoradoartscouncil.org

Volunteers are needed to help conduct the Arts Census. Training for volunteers is Oct. 2 at ArtSpace, 459 Main St., Placerville. Volunteers who live in South Lake Tahoe are encouraged to participate and will have a separate training, details to be determined. Contact the arts council at (530) 295.3496 or EDAC@eldoradoartscouncil.org.