The CENTRAL COAST CREATIVE CORPS is now accepting applications for $140K project-based grants for Community-Based Organizations in partnership with Artists.
Projects Across Arts Disciplines Will Advance Civic Engagement, Public Health, Social Justice, and Climate Resilience Across the Central Coast
The Arts Council for Monterey County, Arts Council Santa Cruz County, San Benito County Arts Council, San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture and Ventura County Arts Council are pleased to announce the Central Coast Creative Corps (CCCC) Program, a new grant opportunity funded by the California Arts Council that will provide $140,000 grants for 23 projects produced by working partnerships between Community-Based Organizations and Local Artists, Creative Workers or Culture Bearers.
The program’s goal is to invest in Artists across disciplines to collaborate with Community Partners for 12 months on producing a sustained outreach and engagement initiative addressing one of the following four priority areas as identified by the California Arts Council:
- Public Health awareness messages to stop the spread of COVID-19
- Climate Impact – public awareness of water and energy conservation, climate change mitigation, emergency preparedness, relief, and recovery
- Civic Engagement, including election participation; and
- Social Justice and community engagement
Community Partners are invited to apply for grant funding to engage an artist, or individual artist collective, for a one-year project from September 2023 to August 2024. Of the funding award, $100,000 will go directly to the Artist for their work on the campaign; with $20,000 allocated for artist-community relations, supplies and materials, and other costs incurred for production and/or implementation; and $20,000 for the organization for program administration.
The grant opportunity is open to Community-Based Organizations, including Nonprofits, Government Agencies or Tribal Governments, in the Central Coast Region (Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties). The program prioritizes communities that demonstrate the highest levels of need, as indicated by the California Healthy Places Index (HPI).
“The Central Coast has a proud history of artist-led social change. We are thrilled to offer this funding to help Central Coast communities envision artistic, creative, and innovative solutions to some of our region’s most pressing challenges,” said Sarah York Rubin, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture, which will serve as the lead administering organization for the CCCC.
Community partners who receive grants will be able to access an Artist Directory of Central Coast artists expressing interest in program participation. The publicly searchable Directory will include artists’ CVs/resumes, skills and interests, work samples, community engagement experience, and geographic locations. They may select an artist or artist collective from the directory, or work with an artist they may already be affiliated with. Artists can sign up to join the Directory HERE.
This program is shared and administered by County-designated arts agencies from all six counties in the Central Coast region. They will work cooperatively to support program administration and serve as primary partners, service providers, and communication conduits in their respective geographies. This program is part of the California Creative Corps, developed by the California Arts Council in partnership with the State legislature. California Creative Corps is an economic and workforce recovery pilot program intended to support pandemic recovery and the environmental, civic, and social engagement of California’s most disproportionately impacted communities.
“We are excited to be at the forefront of this historic, pilot program funded by the California Arts Council,” said Jennifer Laine, Executive Director of the San Benito County Arts Council, one of the six lead Central Coast partners. “Not since the Works Progress Administration, created by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935, have artists been intentionally integrated with the work of community- and government-based agencies to creatively address challenges in public health, social justice, the environment and civic engagement. We believe this is just the beginning and will ultimately transform how these agencies work and the impact they have on their communities.”
More information about eligibility, how to apply for this grant, and upcoming information sessions that will offer guidance and address questions throughout the application period can be found on the Central Coast Creative Corps website. Spanish-language guidelines and applications will also be available via the website.
The deadline to apply is May 1, 2023, by 11:59 PM PST.
More About the CENTRAL COAST CREATIVE CORPS
Central Coast Creative Corps is a program of the six-agency Central Coast Arts Coalition, funded by the California Arts Council. The Arts Council for Monterey County aims to improve the quality of life for everyone in the region through the arts. Arts Council Santa Cruz County nurtures and invests in artists, culture, and the arts throughout Santa Cruz County. The San Benito County Arts Council is dedicated to activating and connecting people, spaces, and communities through art, culture, and creativity. The San Luis Obispo County Arts Council’s goal is to advance the visual, literary, and performing arts through programs that promote public access to the arts, arts in educational settings, local arts planning and collaboration, and opportunities for artists and arts organizations. The Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture is committed to nurturing a sustainable arts and culture sector, promoting equitable access for all, and empowering the creative communities to innovate, collaborate, and thrive. The Ventura County Arts Council advocates for the arts and creates partnerships among artists, arts supporters, businesses, foundations, county organizations, and schools with an emphasis on diversity.
For other information, contact info@sanbenitoarts.org.