Sacramento's creative scene might just get a little livelier, thanks to a new wave of financial aid directed at the city's youth. As reported by the Sacramento City Express, the City of Sacramento’s Office of Arts and Culture is handing out grants to foster workforce readiness programs targeting young residents between the ages of 16-24. This initiative is part of the Creative Youth Workforce Development program funded through federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act.
"We’re excited to launch this initiative and look forward to seeing the impact it will have on preparing Sacramento’s youth for careers in the creative industry," grants and programs manager Melissa Cirone told the Sacramento City Express. With applications open now, nonprofits and businesses in the creative sector can snag sums ranging from $75,000 to $220,000—money meant to give rise to or boost existing workforce initiatives.
The grants are neatly bundled into two categories. The Creative Youth Workforce Pilot Grants are doling out up to $75,000 for seven organizations to test their mettle in crafting a structured creative workforce program, provided they have some experience. For the heavy hitters, there's the Creative Youth Workforce Program Grants, giving away up to $220,000 to three organizations that have built a sturdy foundation and plans to keep the momentum even when the grant money has run dry, as per the Sacramento City Express.
In an effort to make things as smooth as silk, officials have included a few prerequisites: programs must be intent on serving the city's youth, with a soft spot for those hailing from less privileged HUD-qualified census tracts, adjacent areas, or within the Sacramento Opportunity Zone. To make sure prospects are crystal clear on what they're signing up for, the Office of Arts and Culture has slotted a Zoom workshop on Dec. 5, as Melissa Cirone told the Sacramento City Express, where questions about this chance can be freely asked.
Determined creative outfits have until Jan. 10, 2025, to throw their hats in the ring, with the application sausage made right on the city's website. And if there are still some smudges on the blueprints, inquiries can be smoothed out via email at [email protected]. For those wanting to stay looped in on updates from the Office of Arts and Culture, a simple newsletter sign-up can keep you clued in on future opportunities. More details for this particular gold rush can be scouted out on the Sacramento City Express article.
