Artists & Creatives Grants (Community Engagement)

Fact (page-stated): the Artists and Creatives Grants provide financial support — generally up to $2,500 — to independent creatives (including collectives and collaborators) making or presenting creative work relating to or encouraging community engagement. Grants are usually limited to $500–$2,500, but in rare circumstances Community Engagement may provide funding up to $5,000; most artists are advised to apply for under $2,500. Fall grants (September deadline) are open to artists living or working in California; spring grants (March deadline) are open to artists living or working anywhere in the US. Projects by artists living outside the United States are not funded. Fact: this is a project-based grant prioritizing the creation of new artworks; it is not likely to fund art classes, take-home art kits, or exhibitions of studio artwork in preexisting galleries unless the proposal centers a clear and purposeful collaboration with a community. Not supported: arts festivals; nonprofit and for-profit organizations; student projects (undergraduate or graduate); residencies; research symposia; studio rent; conferences; theaters; festivals; and activity affiliated with religious organizations of any kind. Successful grantees should wait at least two years before reapplying. Fact: the funder especially encourages applications from artists historically excluded from the mainstream art world, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Queer, Trans, Deaf, Disabled, Immigrant or Refugee, and Self-Taught artists. Community Engagement is a 501(c)(3) based in Orange County, California.