Please note: The CAC has reopened the funding opportunity for Artists in Schools. Grant program guidelines have been revised for clarification of applicant eligibility, grantee requirements, and review criteria. Application submission deadlines have been extended by one week, from June 16 to June 23, 2022, to compensate for the weeklong closure to implement these changes.

PRESS RELEASE: Round Two of the California Arts Council Arts Grant Season Reopens with Revised Guidelines

Background & Purpose
The Artists in Schools (AIS) program supports projects that integrate community arts partners into culturally and linguistically responsive, sequential, standards-based arts learning for students in preschool through Grade 12 as part of the regular school day, and that address the unique circumstances of the school environment. The intent of the program is to augment and enhance the work of classroom teachers and school-based arts programs by bringing arts resources within the local community into the school culture, not to supplant credentialed arts teachers.

AIS projects focus on hands-on participant learning that takes place over a sustained period (typically a minimum of 10 class sessions) with an identified group(s) of students. For projects outside of traditional school hours, please see the Creative Youth Development, formerly Youth Arts Action, program.

Eligible Request Amounts
Applicant organizations can request up to $60,000 for the two-year grant period.

Funding Restrictions
For organizations with total operating revenue above $250,000, the sum of requests for CAC grants during the same year of funding cannot exceed 50% of the total operating revenue from the most recently completed fiscal year.

Arts Education Office Hours

Virtual office sessions are available to provide technical assistance for the Artists in Schools, Arts Education Exposure, Arts Integration Training, and Creative Youth Development grant programs. Arts Program Specialist Amy Garrett will discuss your organization-specific grant application questions, with participants admitted via a Zoom waiting room. Hours are offered Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12-1pm through June 16. Click here to register.

Application Links:

Online Application Portal:
calartscouncil.smartsimple.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Grant Resources page

Grant Review Panel Process

2020 Grantee Information:

Program Timeline:

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. 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: