Grant Resources
Learn more about applying for California Arts Council grants with these resources.
Current Grant Programs
Visit our Grant Programs webpage for a list of our current and past grant opportunities.
Webinars & Videos
- ***JUST ADDED***
VIDEOS
2023 Grant Program Overviews
This video series introduces the grant application elements and how to apply through the CAC’s online portal for each of the 2023 grant program offerings.
- State-Local Partners/State-Local Partner Mentorship – Click here to watch
- Administering Organization: Folk and Traditional Arts – Click here to watch
- Arts and Cultural Organizations General Operating Support – Click here to watch
- Impact Projects – Click here to watch
- Statewide and Regional Networks – Click here to watch
***New Applicant Resource***
VIDEO
2023 Grant Applicant Website & Registration Overview
Click here to watch
If your organization is interested in learning how to explore the CAC website and register as an organization for grants for the first time, please watch this video. Learn how to find the guidelines for our latest grant programs and register your organization profile before applying for your state arts funding.
***Returning Applicant Resource***
VIDEO
Organization Certification, Contact and Address Changes
Click here to watch
If you are a returning applicant to CAC grants, please review this video on the certification process in order to reapply for CAC grants or update any contacts for your organization.
VIDEO
Why Race? A Learning Journey to Achieve Racial Equity
Click here to watch
As the Arts Council has been evolving its own racial equity practices, the agency invites applicants to start, continue, or strengthen their racial equity practices as a part of the arts community. In October of 2020, the Arts Council offered a public webinar to share the history and background of the agency’s relationship with racial equity and to support a community-based learning practice. The recorded webinar is available online, in addition to various other racial equity learning resources for prospective applicants.State-Local Partners/State-Local Partner Mentorship
Grant Review Panels
Learn about the critical role of peer review panelists, view resources for panelists, and apply to be considered for the 2023 grant panel season.
Visit our Grant Panelists webpage for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
View answers to some of the frequently asked questions about our current grant offerings.
Virtual Office Hours
2023 General Technical Assistance Office Hours
Office hours via Zoom are available for grant applicant technical assistance. Join California Arts Council Program staff as they answer general questions regarding technical aspects of applying to CAC grants through the grants management system. Office hours are structured to be a “drop-in” format. Audience members are welcomed to join and exit as needed. Visit our grant program webpages to review all available grant information, including eligibility requirements and grant timelines.
Wednesday, May 17, 5-6 p.m.
Click here to register
Wednesday, May 24, 5-6 p.m.
Click here to register
2023 Program-Specific Technical Assistance Office Hours
Grant program offerings for 2023 with currently scheduled hours are as follows:
Grants Staff Contacts
View a directory of our Arts Program Specialists contact information at our grants staff contacts page.
- Please read the grant-specific guidelines, application instructions, and Frequently Asked Questions before contacting staff.
- Due to a very high volume of inquiries, there may be a delay in our response.
- Please note: Staff assistance is not available after 5:00 p.m. on the day of a grant deadline.
Logos
Click here to view and download Arts Council logo files and our branding guidelines.
Resource Documents
- SmartSimple – Online Application Portal (link)
- Online Application Portal – Registration Instructions (PDF): Details on how to register for our online application portal.
- Ranking Guide (PDF): The ranking system used by CAC peer review panelists. (Spanish version)
- Fiscal Sponsor Policy (PDF): Fiscal Sponsors are accepted in some CAC grant programs for applicant organizations without federal tax-exempt status. (Spanish version)
- Fiscal Sponsor Letter of Agreement (Word document) – A letter template for applicant organizations using fiscal sponsors.
- What We Do Not Fund (PDF): Arts Council grant funds to organizations may not be used for the purposes or items listed in this document. (Spanish version)
- In-Kind Contributions Information (PDF): Information on eligible in-kind contributions for grant programs requiring a funding match. (Spanish version)
- Definition of a Signature (PDF): Acceptable forms of validation for required signed documentation.
