SACRAMENTO – The start of California’s art grant season is now underway, the California Arts Council announced today. Applications have opened for eight of the agency’s grant programs, with seven more to follow during the month of December.
California’s investment in the arts has been steadily increasing since 2013, with a $6.8 permanent increase included this year. Greater investment equals greater opportunity to meet the demand for arts and cultural experiences across California.
The Arts Council hosted an informational webinar yesterday as part of its programs announcement. Program staff presented an overview of the grant application process and highlighted changes and new additions to agency programs, provided tips for effective grant writing, and answered questions from participants. A recorded video of the webinar has been published to the Arts Council’s website for interested organizations that were unable to attend.
In addition, three live, no-cost workshops are slated to be held on December 13 in the cities of San Bernardino, Visalia, and Joshua Tree, providing further opportunities to prospective grantees who wish to learn more about the agency’s grant programs and gain insight into the application process.
Effective for the 2017-18 grant season, the California Arts Council transitioned its online grants management to the SmartSimple system, tracking the grant cycle from application to awards. Application instructions and additional resources for grantseekers to orient themselves with the new system can be found on the Arts Council website.
The California Arts Council invests in California nonprofit organizations and units of government via competitive grant programs, administered through a multistep public process. Details for the programs now open are below. More information, including availability, application deadlines and guidelines for all of the agency’s grant offerings can be found at http://www.arts.ca.gov/programs.
Open Programs (as of December 5, 2017)
ARTISTS IN COMMUNITIES: Up to $18,000 for artist residencies in community settings.
ARTS EDUCATION – ARTISTS IN SCHOOLS: Up to $18,000 for collaborative arts education projects for students from infancy through Grade 12 taking place on school sites during the school day.
ARTS EDUCATION – EXTENSION: Up to $18,000 for arts education projects for students from infancy through Grade 12 taking place after school or during the summer, either on school sites or in community settings.
ARTS EDUCATION – EXPOSURE: Up to $18,000 for field trip and assembly support to expose students from infancy through Grade 12 to performances and exhibits.
ARTS EDUCATION – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: $2,500 to support arts integration training for classroom teachers facilitated by teaching artists.
CULTURAL PATHWAYS: Up to $20,000 over two years to strengthen the capacity of small organizations rooted in communities of color, recent immigrant and refugee communities, and tribal or indigenous groups.
JUMP STARTS: Up to $50,000 for collaborative arts education projects for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Up to $1,000 for access to professional development resources and networks to strengthen the business acumen of individuals employed by arts organizations.
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The mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California’s diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services.
Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Donn K. Harris, Vice Chair Nashormeh Lindo, Larry Baza, Phoebe Beasley, Christopher Coppola, Juan Devis, Kathleen Gallegos, Jaime Galli, Louise McGuinness, Steven Oliver, and Rosalind Wyman. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.
