The Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation program (fka Investing in Artists) supports diverse, Bay Area working artists who are developing new work in the performing or media arts that pushes the envelope of their creative process, explores new artistic collaborations, and/or supports artistic growth and experimentation that extends the boundaries of their art-making.
Donor Name: Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI)
State: California
County: San Mateo County (CA), Santa Clara County (CA), Santa Cruz County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/15/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Funding Information
Approximately eight grants of up to $9,000 each will be awarded annually.
Grant Period
October 2025 – October 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation grants are designed to support diverse Bay Area artists in the performing and media arts, which include the disciplines of dance, music, musical theatre, opera, theatre, video, film, and animation, to name a few. Applicants representing a wide range of cultural expressions and artistic practices in the performing and media arts are encouraged to apply.
To be considered for funding, applicants:
- For the 2025 Round: Must reside full-time in San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz County when applying and for the duration of the grant period (October 2025 – October 2026).
- Must be an individual working artist.
- Must propose a new project.
- Projects that have already taken place or that will take place before the start of the grant period are ineligible.
- Must have performed or presented artistic work in a public context—including online/digital platforms—within the last three years (i.e., since 202).
- Must be 18 years or older at the time of the application deadline.
Ineligibility
The following are ineligible for funding consideration:
- Artist collectives, coops, or collaboratives;
- Nonprofit or fiscally sponsored organizations;
- Group performances or other group-based projects;
- Individuals playing a supportive or “producer” role in developing an individual artist’s work (such as curators, producers, designers, technicians, fabricators, and advisors);
- Full-time or matriculated students;
- Applicants who submit more than one application;
- Incomplete applications and those with inaccessible work samples or other required files; and
- Individuals who have a conflict of interest (family or financial relationship) with the board, staff, or directors of the Center for Cultural Innovation.
For more information, visit CCI.
