With support from the California Arts Council, San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture (OAC) will strengthen and broaden current programming, with a focus on our annual Arts and Culture Grants and sponsorships for small/under-resourced nonprofits. Nonprofits with a budget of $1M or less are eligible for general operating grants annually. The CAC grant enables us to continue this annual program regardless of fluctuating County funding. The SLP grant also allows us to participate in Poetry Out Loud and support our youth participants with individual coaches who are professional poets. As needs shift, and funding for artists and arts/culture nonprofits continue to be difficult to secure, support from the CAC will allow us to focus on ensuring equitable representation countywide, especially in unincorporated/rural areas of the County with less access to the arts.