Grants of up to $1,000 and grants of up to $3,000 to California individual artists and organizations in eligible areas for arts and cultural projects. Funding is intended to support the production and exhibition of publicly accessible works that promote the success of local artists and the sustainability of arts organizations. Projects must take place in Santa Cruz County.
Grant Program Objectives:
Support the creation and presentation of artistically excellent work
Increase the success of artists and the sustainability of arts organizations
Eligibility:
Residence/location:
- Individual applicants must reside in Santa Cruz County; nonprofit organization applicants must be located in Santa Cruz County.
Grants are provided for direct use by the awarded applicant. These funds are not transferable to other organizations or individuals.
Ineligible
Create Grants Do Not Fund:
- Any projects, programs, activities, or expenses that took place before grants are awarded (before January 1, 2023)
- Arts/cultural projects not advertised or open to the public
- In-school programs (the Arts Council funds in-school programs through the Arts Ed program and SPECTRA grants)
- Culinary arts or healing arts projects
- Capital improvements, construction, or renovation projects
- Government departments, boards, or programs
- Foundations that do not produce arts programming
- Research, debt retirement, fundraising or benefit events, social services, political or religious advocacy, or for-profit organizations
Pre-Proposal Conference
Create & Develop grants orientation (two options):
Project and professional development grants for individual artists and organizations
- Monday August 28, 5:30-7pm in Watsonville - at Digital NEST, 318 Union St Building B, Watsonville, CA 95076 (Daisy Lecture Room, 2nd floor)
- Wednesday August 30, 5:30-7pm via Zoom - click here to join Create & Develop Zoom (Meeting ID: 85267924886 Passcode: 468263)
Timeline
- August 23: Application opens in the grants portal
- August 28 - September 22: Drop-in office hours in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, and on Zoom
- Wed. September 27 5pm: Application Deadline (no late applications accepted)
- December 8: Grant decision notifications sent to all applicants
- January 2024: All grant payments sent
Please plan to submit your application well before the 5pm deadline in case of technical difficulties. Late applications are not accepted.
Those who have never applied for an Arts Council grant are encouraged, but not required, to apply in the First-Time Applicant Pool. The First-Time Applicant Pool only includes other first-timers and is evaluated separately, offering a higher chance of receiving a grant award.
Estimated Size of Grant
- First-Time Applicant Pool (optional): up to $1,000
- Returning Applicant Pool: up to $3,000
Term of Contract
Awarded funds must be used within the grant period of January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024. Any extensions must be approved by the Grants Program Manager.
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