Attention Sacramento arts and culture nonprofits: the application window is now open for the Cultural Arts Awards Program. Organizations working to support the arts can apply for operating grants, with a total of $950,000 available to enhance Sacramento's cultural scene.
The program, managed by the City of Sacramento's Office of Arts and Culture in partnership with Sacramento County, is funded by the City’s Measure U tax and Sacramento County’s Transient Occupancy Tax. Interested nonprofits have until December 15 to apply, as reported by the Sacramento City Express.
To qualify, organizations must show they prioritize diversity, equity, community impact, good management, and financial accountability. Melissa Cirone, the City’s grants program manager, states, "These grants will help nurture creativity, foster innovation, and highlight the unique cultural richness of our community," a statement obtained by Sacramento City Express.
Submit your application, and a panel of arts and culture experts and community representatives will review it. The proposal review meetings and rankings will be open to the public, with dates announced in advance. In the last grant cycle, over $933,000 was awarded to 66 grantees, totaling more than $2.7 million for the local arts scene over three years.
Crystal Bethke, the County’s Director of Economic Development, states, "The Cultural Arts Awards Program plays a pivotal role in supporting the arts, which are at the heart of our community’s identity. These grants will empower organizations to expand their reach, contribute to the local economy, and provide access to arts and culture for all our residents," a statement obtained by Sacramento City Express.
To assist applicants, the Office of Arts and Culture will offer workshops and grant writing mentor support by appointment from November 18 through December 7, with workshop dates announced soon. For questions, applicants can email [email protected]. Those bracing for the results of this cultural funding saga can expect the grand reveal of grant recipients in April 2025, says the Sacramento City Express.
