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

Access information and announcements for the media and public alike. Subscribe to receive emailed updates.

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.

State-Local Partnerships Contacts

State-Local Partners are the CAC’s official-designated county local arts agency that support arts and cultural activity in service to their respective individuals and communities.
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.

Site Search

Site Search

Search Results For

Programs The California Arts Council offers direct programming in a variety of areas through special federal, state, and local community partnerships. […]	VIEW >
California Creative Corps About California Creative Corps The 2021 State Budget included a $60 million one-time General Fund allocation for the California Arts […]	VIEW >
Timeline The California Arts Council was established in 1976 and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. The California Arts Council […]	VIEW >
Awardees Celebrate the Awardees Coming February 2026 Honoring Our Origins The first appointed members of the California Arts Council were trailblazers […]	VIEW >
Council Meetings View schedules and records of the Council’s public meetings.	VIEW >
State-Local Partnerships Contacts Access racial equity tools, research, and community learning resources.	VIEW >
Grant Applicant FAQs A collection of answers to frequently asked application questions.	VIEW >
50 Years of Creative Impact 50 Years of Creative Impact Honoring Our Past, Designing Our Future The 50th Anniversary of the California Arts Council is […]	VIEW >
California Arts Council Seeks Arts Providers at State Correctional Institutions Request for proposals will promote healing and well-being through creativity SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Arts Council (CAC) is accepting […]	VIEW >
Lillian Braly of Marin County Crowned Champion of California’s 2026 Poetry Out Loud State Finals SACRAMENTO, CA – Lillian Braly of Marin County is this year’s California Poetry Out Loud state champion. A high-school junior from Marin School of the Arts at Novato […]	VIEW >
California Arts Council Announces Two New RFPs to Support Statewide Creative Economy Engagement Tour Sacramento, CA — The California Arts Council (CAC) is pleased to announce the release of two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) […]	VIEW >
Governor Gavin Newsom Appoints Rick Stein to California Arts Council SACRAMENTO, CA – On Tuesday, May 20, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of Rick Stein of San Juan Capistrano to […]	VIEW >
Introducing California’s 2025 State Arts Grantees SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Arts Council (CAC) announced today the grant recipient organizations contracted for its 2025-26 program cycle. […]	VIEW >
Art With Elders Annual Exhibit Opening Event Please join us for our in person Annual Exhibit Opening Event Sat. Jun. 13, 2026, 2-4p! More than 100 artworks […]	VIEW >
California Arts Council to Award Influential Artists, Arts Leaders, and Arts Organizations at 50th Anniversary Celebration Event SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Arts Council announced today the 10 artists, arts leaders, and arts organizations to be recognized […]	VIEW >
2026 California Poetry Out Loud State Finals to be Held March 8 and 9 in Sacramento SACRAMENTO, CA – High school students representing 49 California counties will converge on Sacramento March 8 and 9 to compete […]	VIEW >
California Arts Council Opens Statewide Grants as Agency Marks 50 Years of Creative Impact SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Arts Council has opened applications for its 2026 state arts grant programs, launching a new season of statewide funding as […]	VIEW >
Governor Gavin Newsom Appoints Roque Barros to California Arts Council SACRAMENTO, CA – On Wednesday, April 1, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of Roque Barros of San Diego to […]	VIEW >
California Arts Council Presents First Sector-Specific Creative Economy Strategic Plan to Joint Committee on the Arts SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Arts Council presented Thursday the first-ever sector-specific strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative: Strategies for Cultural Resilience, […]	VIEW >

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