[Center for Cultural Innovation](https://www.cciarts.org)

April 2027 (Full application deadline, projected)

Up to $9,000 per award; typically 8 grants awarded annually; grant period is 12 months.

Supports Bay Area performing and media artists in developing new, innovative, and experimental work that advances their creative practice.

Only individual artists in Marin, Napa, Solano, or Sonoma counties are eligible for the next cycle.

--- ## Description The Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation program, administered by the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), provides support to working artists in the Bay Area who are creating new work in the performing or media arts. The grant is designed to encourage projects that push the boundaries of artistic practice, foster new collaborations, and promote artistic growth and experimentation. The program rotates eligible counties each year, with the next anticipated round (April 2027) open to artists residing in Marin, Napa, Solano, or Sonoma counties. Funding is intended for the development of new work and not for ongoing or completed projects. --- ## Due Dates - April 2027 (anticipated full application deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Up to $9,000 per individual artist grant. - Approximately 8 grants are awarded annually. - Grant period is 12 months (June to June of the following year). - Awards are paid in two installments: 90% upon signing the agreement, 10% upon completion of final reporting. --- ## Eligibility - **Residency:** Must reside full-time in Marin, Napa, Solano, or Sonoma County at the time of application and throughout the grant period. - **Discipline:** Open to individual working artists in performing and media arts, including dance, music, musical theatre, opera, theatre, video, film, animation, XR (AR/VR/MR), and other emerging technologies. - **Project Type:** Must propose a new work; ongoing or completed projects are not eligible. - **Professional Status:** Must be 18 years or older, have training in an artistic discipline, spend at least 10 hours/week on artistic practice, and have presented work publicly in the past three years. - **Applicant Type:** Only individuals may apply. Not open to collectives, organizations, or groups. Exceptionally, long-standing artist collaborators may be considered if they have a significant shared history (contact CCI in advance). - **Student Status:** Full-time or matriculated students are not eligible. - **Other Restrictions:** Not open to those with conflicts of interest with CCI, or those who have submitted more than one application. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online via [CCI's Submittable platform](https://centerforculturalinnovation.submittable.com/submit). - Required materials include: - Completed online application form - One-page artist résumé - One-page project budget (template available but not required) - Work samples (1–3, strongly encouraged to include video; theatre manuscripts accepted only for playwrights) - Narrative sections address project description, collaborators, rationale for timing ("Why now?"), and applicant context. - Applicants must provide budget notes and a brief bio. - Demographic survey is optional. - All materials must be accessible and submitted by the deadline; incomplete or inaccessible applications will not be reviewed. - Applicants will be notified of their status by email. --- ## Additional Information - Grants are intended to support the creation of new work; funds may be used for personal compensation, collaborator fees, supplies, equipment, travel, etc. - Funds may not be used for lobbying, political campaigns, or activities inconsistent with CCI’s charitable purpose. - Grant recipients must submit a final report at the end of the grant period. - Awards may be considered taxable income; consult a tax advisor. - CCI offers office hours and information sessions for applicants (see program page for details). - For projects involving new technologies (e.g., generative AI, XR), applicants should clearly describe their process, intent, and ethical considerations. --- ## External Links - [Program Page & Full Guidelines](https://www.cciarts.org/grantsprogram.htm) - [2026 Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/2026_IA_Artistic_Innovation_Guidelines.pdf) - [Application Preview (PDF)](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/2026_IA_Artistic_Innovation_Application_Preview.pdf) - [Application Preview (DOCX)](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/2026_IA_Artistic_Innovation_Application_Preview.docx) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/2026_IA_Artistic_Innovation_FAQs.pdf) - [Sample Project Budget (XLSX)](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/2026_IA_Artistic_Innovation_Project_Budget_Sample_Template.xlsx) - [Submittable Quick Tips](https://www.cciarts.org/_Library/docs/2026_IA_Artistic_Innovation_Submittable_Quick_Tips.pdf) - [Start Your Application](https://centerforculturalinnovation.submittable.com/submit) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General inquiries/support | grants@cciarts.org
Phone: 415.288.0530 (or 213.687.8577)
[Schedule office hours](https://calendly.com/imah-cciarts/grant-office-hours) | | Technical support (Submittable) | [https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/](https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/) (9am–5pm MT) | | Accessibility (Relay Service) | [California Relay Service](https://caconnect.org/relay/) |

Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation

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