Please note: Due to feedback from the field, the CAC is closing the current grant opportunity for Arts Education Exposure to clarify applicant eligibility, requirements, and review criteria. A newly revised release of the funding opportunity and guidelines will reopen on Friday, May 27. Application submission deadlines will be extended accordingly, from June 16 to June 23. -California Arts Council
Background & Purpose
In 2016, the CAC expanded our arts education offerings to include the Arts Education Exposure (AEE) program. The purpose of the Exposure program is to support attendance at high-quality performances and exhibits for students who would particularly benefit from these experiences. Students may be identified as priority communities for participation due to socio-economic status, geographic region, or other aspects of students’ life experiences that elevate the impact of having opportunities to engage with these cultural assets. Exposure program experiences may include art exhibits and performances, field trips to arts venues, and/or in-school assemblies.
Artists involved in this grant category will demonstrate the highest level of rigor and commitment to craft, and their work will offer deep cultural resonance with the student communities to be served. Student artwork, whether prepared in advance or executed onsite, is not appropriate as the artistic focus of this grant category. The impact of student attendance at artistic events should be complemented by pre- and post-attendance activities, such as artist talkbacks, teaching artist workshops, and/or facility tours.
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.
Application Links:
Online Application Portal:
calartscouncil.smartsimple.com
Guidelines – revise coming 5/27
Guidelines in Spanish – Coming Soon
2020 Grantee Information:
Program Timeline:
| Guidelines Published | April 28, 2022 / *Revised* May 27, 2022 |
| Application Opens | April 28, 2022 |
| Application Deadline | June 23, 2022, 11:59 PM |
| Panel Review | Approx. June – July 2022 |
| Funding Decision | Approx. July 2022 |
| Funding Notification | Approx. August 2022 |
| Grant Activity Period | Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024 |
| Interim Report Deadline | January 31, 2024 |
| Final Report Deadline | January 31, 2025 |
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:
