Civic Arts Grants
Civic Arts offers grants to Berkeley nonprofit organizations, artists, and festivals.
Civic Arts provides grant funding to support a vibrant arts ecosystem, strengthen diverse cultural expressions, and ensure equitable access to arts and culture throughout Berkeley.
Grants for Berkeley Artists, Festivals, and Organizations
Apply for a grant to support your work as an individual artist, festival organizer, or nonprofit organization.
Grants are awarded through a competitive application and public review process in four categories. View our current grantees.
Applications are closed for the 2024 grant cycle. The next grant cycle will open in January of 2025.
Capital Projects
Capital Project grants support the long-term sustainability of Berkeley’s arts and culture sector by retaining and improving arts organizations’ spaces. Capital projects and asset acquisitions funded in this program are intended to help arts organizations stay in Berkeley.
For this pilot program, priority will be given to organizations with total cash revenues of under $1,000,000 and projects that increase an organization’s accessibility to people with physical disabilities.
Arts Programs
Arts Program grants support arts and cultural programming in the City of Berkeley that fall within one of two categories:
- Non-arts nonprofit organizations located in the City of Berkeley wishing to produce arts or cultural programming in Berkeley led by a partnering arts organization or teaching artist.
- Arts nonprofit organizations located in the Greater Bay Area (outside of Berkeley) that wish to produce arts and cultural programming in the City of Berkeley.
This new funding opportunity aims to:
- Allow cross-sector collaborations and opportunities for non-arts organizations to hire arts and cultural workers or partner with Berkeley-based arts organizations for programming.
- Allow Berkeley residents to engage in Greater Bay Area programming offered by non-Berkeley arts organizations.
Grants in this pilot program are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Individual Artist Projects
Individual Artist Project grants support artists living in Berkeley with project-based funding. Projects must include original work created during the Grant Activity Period and a public presentation that engages Berkeley residents in a meaningful way.
Community Festivals
The Community Festivals grant supports festivals and special events in Berkeley. Grant-funded events must be open to the entire public and have a free component. Grants in this category are awarded annually.
General Operating Support
The General Operating Support grant provides general operating funding for Berkeley-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. Grants in this category are awarded on a two-year cycle and applications are only accepted every two years. (Formerly named Arts Organization Grants.)
Schedule for current grant cycle
- January – March 2024: Application period
- March – May 2024: Application review period
- April – May 2024: Grant Review Panel meetings
- May 22, 2024: Civic Arts Commission approves Capital Projects grant awards only
- May – June 2024: Grants Subcommittee makes funding recommendations
- June 25, 2024: City Council adopts budget
- June 26, 2024: Civic Arts Commission approves grant awards
- June 1, 2024 – July 30, 2025: Grant Activity Period for Capital Project grants
- July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025: Grant Activity Period for Individual Artist Project, Community Festival, and Arts Program grants
- July 1, 2023–June 30, 2025: Grant Activity Period for General Operating Support grants
How to apply
All application materials are submitted electronically using Submittable. Technical assistance creating a Submittable account is available through Submittable’s Customer Support.
For application accommodations for disabilities or translation services, please email civicarts@berkeleyca.gov.
Get help applying
For support with preparing your application, please read the frequently asked questions (FAQs).
For individualized support, make a virtual appointment to speak with Civic Arts staff.
For grantees
Grantees need to become registered vendors with the City of Berkeley to receive payment. Complete a Vendor Application and W-9 to become a vendor.
Grantees should include the City of Berkeley’s logo on promotional materials and media.
Community Festivals and other grantees requiring City permits will need to apply for a special event permit approximately six months in advance of the event.
FOR PANELISTS
Community members located in the greater Bay Area with experience in arts and culture can apply to serve as grant review panelists. The Civic Arts Commission approves the pool of individuals from which staff selects panelists. Once approved, panelists are eligible to serve for two years.
Grant review panelists need to become registered vendors with the City of Berkeley to receive payment for their service. Complete a Vendor Application and W-9 to become a vendor.
Panelist documents:
Related Documents
- Civic Arts Grantees (167.46 KB)167.46 KB