SANTA CRUZ, CA — March 8, 2023 – The Arts Council for Monterey County, Arts Council Santa Cruz County, the San Benito County Arts Council, the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture, and the 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, including nonprofits, government agencies or tribal governments, 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 the funds and 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 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,” saya Sarah York Rubin, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture, which serves as the lead administering organization for the CCCC.
Community partners who receive grants will be able to access a directory of Central Coast artists expressing interest in program participation. The searchable directory will include artists’ resumes, media or medium, years of artistic practice, geographic location, area of geographic interest, work samples, and community engagement experience. They may select an artist or artist collective from the directory or work with an artist with whom they may already be affiliated. Artists can sign up to join the directory at www.centralcoastartists.org.
This program is shared and administered in the Central Coast region by County-designated arts agencies from all six counties. 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’re excited to see what’s possible when local artists and community organizations have the time and resources to collaborate meaningfully and in new ways,” says Jim Brown, Executive Director of Arts Council Santa Cruz County. “Our team is here to support interested organizations through the application process and beyond as projects take shape.
More information about eligibility, how community partners can apply for this grant, and upcoming information sessions offering guidance and addressing questions throughout the application period can be found on the Central Coast Creative Corps website: www.centralcoastcreativecorps.org. Spanish-language assistance is available.
The deadline to apply is May 1, 2023, 5pm PST.
Questions? Santa Cruz County artists and organizations are welcome to contact Arts Council staff directly to learn more. Email grantsprogram@artscouncilsc.org with specific questions, or join our open office hours on Zoom:
Central Coast Creative Corps Office Hours
Apr 10, 2023 10 - 11am
Zoom link
Central Coast Creative Corps Office Hours
Apr 18, 2023 12 - 1pm
Zoom Link
Central Coast Creative Corps Office Hours
Apr 21, 2023 10 - 11am
Zoom Link
Central Coast Creative Corps Office Hours
Apr 25, 2023 4 - 5pm
Zoom Link
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.