Arts and Youth
Forecasted
Arts and Youth supports California youth ages 0–25 through culturally responsive arts learning that reduces barriers to participation and strengthens creative expression, identity, and community connections.
Funder: California Arts Council
Due Dates: January–March 2027 (Estimated funds arrival) | September 30, 2027 (Activity ends) | October 30, 2027 (Final report, program page) | November 1, 2027 (Final report, guidelines)
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000 for one year; no matching funds required
Summary: Supports culturally responsive arts learning for California youth ages 0–25, prioritizing projects that bridge barriers to participation.
Key Information: Organizations must have annual total revenue below $5 million and cannot also apply to Impact Projects.
Description
Arts and Youth is a California Arts Council program supporting meaningful, culturally responsive arts learning and engagement for infants, children, and young people ages 0–25. It prioritizes young people who might otherwise lack access to arts activities, addressing barriers related to socioeconomic status, geographic isolation, gender, racial and cultural identity, disability, and the digital divide.
The program supports experiences that strengthen young people’s sense of self, community connections, and understanding across histories and cultures. Goals include positive social and emotional development, youth-centered creative expression, culturally and linguistically responsive learning, educator capacity to integrate arts across the curriculum, and lifelong creative participation. Projects may take place during or outside school hours in arts venues, schools, community centers, juvenile justice facilities, social service agencies, and other youth-oriented settings.
