Background & Purpose
The Reentry Through the Arts grant program is rooted in the CAC’s belief that the arts are a societal cornerstone with the ability to build community, heal, and provide hard and soft skills transferable to other areas of life. Reentry Through the Arts supports arts and culture programs for adults who have been incarcerated within correctional institutions. It reinforces the direct impact that arts and culture have on the health, welfare, and economic well-being of all Californians and their communities.
Through this program, CAC has been able to expand its funding opportunities to include projects specifically designed for Returned Residents1, utilizing arts participation as an effective instrument for healing, community integration, and skill-building. Successful projects also include the perspective of one or more people affected by incarceration as active participants in the design, planning, and implementation of the project.
By focusing on the principles of restorative justice, transformative justice, and healing-centered approaches, Reentry Through the Arts elevates projects that utilize arts and culture as part of a holistic approach to supporting the most successful transition of Returned Residents back into their communities.
Eligible Request Amount
Applicant organizations can request up to $50,000 for a full project grant.
Application Links:
Online Application Portal: calartscouncil.smartsimple.com
2020-19 Grantee Information:
Program Timeline:
| Application Opens | January 19, 2022 |
| Application Deadline | March 9, 2022, 11:59 p.m. |
| Panel Review | Approx. March – April 2022 |
| Funding Decision | Approx. May 2022 |
| Funding Notification | Approx. June 2022 |
| Grant Activity Period | September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2023 |
| Final Report Deadline | September 30, 2023 |
Staff Assistance
Before contacting staff, check FAQs to see if application questions can be answered. If staff assistance is still required for guidance or clarification, email is the best way to contact Program Specialists. We recommend that you contact staff well in advance of the deadline to ensure you can be accommodated. Please note: staff assistance is not available after 5:00 p.m. on the day of a grant deadline. People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf Blind, or have difficulty speaking may dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service (CRS). Large print is available upon request.
Staff contact:
Natalie Peeples (she/her/hers)
Arts Program Specialist
reentrygrant@arts.ca.gov
