SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL

Grants
Grant Programs & Applications

Learn about state arts funding for organizations and individuals. Access current guidelines and applications.

Grant Resources

View training and technical assistance resources including FAQs, training videos, webinars, and instructions.

Grant Applicant FAQs

Answers to some of the frequently asked questions about our current grant offerings.

Grant Panels

Learn about the critical role of peer review panelists in the grant application process and view resources for panelists.

Recent Grants Search

Searchable information about California Arts Council grant awards from 2017 to today.

Grantee Map

View an interactive map of recent California Arts Council grantees.

Programs Evaluation Plan

Learn about the CAC’s process with the consulting firms Scansion and WolfBrown to evaluate the agency’s portfolio of programs, assessing the effectiveness of our grantmaking and contract-based funding.

Online Application Portal

SmartSimple is the California Arts Council’s online application portal and grants management system.
Collective
Collective: Statewide Opportunities Resource

Browse opportunities such as jobs, internships, artist calls, grants, conferences, workshops, and more.

Collective: Organizational Profile Login

For organizations: apply for and access an organizational profile to post opportunities to Collective.

Collective: Custom Alerts

For individuals: sign-up to receive custom opportunity alerts by location, keyword, type, etc.
Learning Center
Why the arts?

Arts and culture are essential to us all. Explore the benefits of the arts by topic.

Research & Reports

Access research, reports, and journal articles from the global arts and culture fields.

Racial Equity Learning Resources

Access racial equity tools, research, and community learning resources.

CAC Publications & Reports

A collection of reports published by the California Arts Council.

Arts Glossary

Learn about key terms used in the arts and culture sector, and accompanying resources.
News
ArtBeat Newsletter

Visit our online archive for our weekly e-newsletter, featuring our latest updates, plus grants, job opportunities, and news from across the creative field. Subscribe now!

Press Releases

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Blog

Read featured stories of California’s creative community, featuring guest features and voices from our grantees.

COVID-19 News & Resources

Find the latest COVID-19 announcements, including emergency funding opportunities, arts reopening resources, and state guidance.

DREAM Magazine

Voices and stories from across the state, sharing a glimpse into the depth of impact of creativity and cultural expression in a region as large and diverse as California.

Art News

Find relevant arts and culture stories from the local and national media and blogosphere.
Programs
Arts in California Parks

Arts in California Parks helps to nourish, educate, and inspire individuals and communities.

Arts in Corrections

A partnership with the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, designed to have a positive impact on the social and emotional well-being of people experiencing incarceration. www.artsincorrections.org

California Creative Corps

A media, outreach, and engagement pilot program designed to support communities statewide following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Creative Economy of California

Building a resilient future for California’s creative economy.

California Cultural Districts

Highlighting some of the thriving cultural diversity and unique artistic identities within local communities across the state. www.caculturaldistricts.org

Poetry Out Loud

Igniting student potential through the power of poetry. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, administered statewide by the California Arts Council. www.capoetryoutloud.org

California Poet Laureate

The Governor’s advocate for the art of poetry. Visit www.capoetlaureate.org.

California Teen Poet Laureate

COMING SOON: State legislation supports the development of the state’s first Youth Poet Laureate program.

Individual Artists Fellowship

Through a network of regionally based Administering Organizations, the Individual Artists Fellowship program will continue to recognize, uplift, and celebrate the excellence of California artists practicing any art form.
About
About Us

Learn about our agency’s mission, vision, values. View our annual reports and a timeline of agency history. Find guidance on the California Public Records Act.

Racial Equity Statement

We believe that racial injustice is the most pervasive and entrenched form of injustice permeating the institutions and structures that everyone must access. Read our Racial Equity Statement.

Strategic Framework

View the Strategic Framework and Decision Support Tool that guide our agency and Council’s policies and practices.

Council Members

Meet our policy-setting Council, appointed by your elected officials. Learn how to apply for Council member appointments.

Staff

Get to know our state agency staff and access staff contact information.

Council Meetings

View the schedule and record of the Council’s public meetings.

Calendar

View dates and details on upcoming meetings, events, and workshops.

Work With Us

Learn about employment and contracting opportunities at the California Arts Council.
Support the Arts
Donate

Your direct contribution to the California Arts Council is tax-deductible.

Arts License Plate

Proceeds from the California Arts Plate support arts programming across California.

Grantee Database

Grant Year

2024-25

Grant Program

State-Local Partnership

Award Amount

$127,459.00

Project Description

With support from the California Arts Council, SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL will retain professional staff and systems to expand access to the visual, literary, and performing arts, lifelong arts education, and related cultural activities in the region, recognizing the role the arts play in enhancing neighborhoods, quality of life, community placekeeping, cultural understanding, and local economy.

Organization Summary

Community Programs

Open Studios Art Tour — 141 artists opened their studios to an estimated 2,500–3,000 visitors, generating income and visibility for local artists.
Art After Dark — A monthly event turning downtown SLO into a cultural gathering space, with 36 venues participating in 2025.
Poetry Out Loud — A school-based poetry recitation program that reached 1,920 students across six county schools, building literacy and creative confidence.
Poet Laureate Program — Reinstated in 2025, the inaugural Poet Laureate (Caleb Nichols) held over 70 public office hours and over 20 public readings in the last 1.5 years to connect community members with literary arts.

Artist Support & Grants

Individual Artist Fellowship — A prestigious award (up to $50k) for working artists, launching in 2026 in partnership with the California Arts Council.
Blank Canvas Arts Grant — A new $10k fund supporting experimental projects by emerging and mid-career SLO County artists.
Central Coast Artists Directory — A free regional platform connecting artists across SLO, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

Advocacy & Research

Published the first-ever Arts and Culture Economic Impact Report for SLO County, documenting $478.7 million in total economic impact and 5,163 jobs supported.

Arts Education (Launching 2026)

Creative Futures Initiative — A youth arts education program targeting underserved South County communities, employing 6–7 teaching artists to serve 200–300 students.

Organization