Traditional Arts Sustainability Grants

Traditional Arts Sustainability Grants

Organization: Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA)

Program Launch: November 2010

Geographic Scope: Central Coast and San Joaquin Valley regions of California

Geographic Focus Areas:

Monterey County

Merced County

Fresno County

Kings County

Kern County

Program Overview:
This program aims to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations serving low-income communities and communities of color in the Central Coast and San Joaquin Valley. The initiative is supported by a joint partnership between the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, James Irvine Foundation, and William & Flora Hewlett Foundation as part of their Community Leadership Project.

Eligible Applicants:

Nonprofit organizations serving low-income communities

Nonprofits serving communities of color

Organizations focused on folk and traditional arts

Organizations in eligible geographic regions

What Funds Support:

Core operating support

Capacity building training and coaching

Cultural Focus Areas:
Organizations working with diverse ethnic communities and cultural expressions including:

Traditional Mexican dance

Mariachi music

Hmong traditional music

Chicano theatre

Native Kawaiisu language and knowledge preservation

Oaxacan indigenous traditions

African-American culture

And other folk and traditional arts

Award Amounts:
Initial round granted $210,000 total to eight organizations:

Up to $30,000 (most common award level)

Awards ranged from $2,500 to $30,000 depending on organization

Example 2010 Grant Recipients:
1. Arte Américas (Fresno County) - $30,000
2. Caminos del Arte (Monterey County) - $23,750
3. Centro de Unidad Popular Benito Juarez, Inc. (Kern County) - $23,750
4. Kawaiisu Language and Cultural Center (Kern County) - $30,000
5. Kings County Regional Traditional Folks Arts (Kings County) - $30,000
6. Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. (Merced County) - $30,000
7. Teatro de la Tierra (Fresno County) - $30,000
8. The Way Ministries (Fresno County) - $2,500

ACTA's Role:
ACTA was the only arts organization chosen to regrant funds through the statewide Community Leadership Project cohort of 27 intermediaries.

Contact: Alliance for California Traditional Arts offices