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Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation (Bay Area) is sponsored by Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI). This program supports individual working artists in the performing and media arts in the Bay Area (Marin, Napa, Solano, or Sonoma County for the 2026 round) who are developing new work, exploring new artistic collaborations, or engaging in artistic growth and experimentation.
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:: CCI :: Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation :: Unfettering Artists' Productivity and Impact If you have questions or require further information on the Investing in Artists grants program, please either email or call the grant hotline at (415) 288-0530 . Funding > Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation The 2026 Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation application round is open! Applications are due March 27, 2026 at 11:59 a.
m. (morning). Learn about the 2025 Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation Grantees!
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.
The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) established the Investing in Artists grant program in 2007 to enhance the working lives of and strengthen the creative support system for California artists working in all disciplines. Since that time, and with the support of The James Irvine Foundation and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, CCI has awarded over $2 million to more than 300 diverse artists across California.
Through the continued support of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, CCI is pleased to offer a new cycle of funding (2024 – 2026) for the Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation program for Bay Area performing and media artists.
Through a competitive application process conducted over three rounds of funding from 2024 to 2026, approximately eight grants of up to $9,000 each will be made annually to Bay Area performing and media artists, with Bay Area County eligibility rotating every year.
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 2026 Round: Must reside full-time in Marin, Napa, Solano, or Sonoma County when applying and for the duration of the grant period (June 2026 – June 2027). Must be an individual working artist 1. 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. See the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Must have performed or presented artistic work in a public context—including online/digital platforms—within the last three years (i.e., since 2023).
Must be 18 years or older at the time of the application deadline. 1 For the purposes of this program, eligible “working artists'' are defined as adults who have received training in an artistic discipline or tradition, spend ten or more hours a week on their artistic practice, self-define as professional artists, and attempt to derive income from work in which they use their expert artistic practices and skills.
While serious artistic activity performed as a hobby or as part of volunteer community service may, in some cases, be considered technically eligible, successful applicants will have demonstrated a history of artistic accomplishment and a sustained commitment to deepening and expanding their artistic work.
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.
February 24 at 9:00 a. m. PT February 26, 12:00-1:00 p.
m. PT Note: If you're unable to attend, email grants@cciarts. org to request access to the recording and presentation slide deck.
March 18, 10:00-11:00 a. m. PT March 19, 12:00-1:00 p.
m. PT Note: These are not formal presentations, nor will they be recorded. Office Hours are an opportunity to have your questions addressed by CCI staff in real time.
We ask that you review the grant guidelines, application preview, and Frequently Asked Questions in advance to ensure everyone's time is used efficiently. March 27 at 11:59 a. m.
(morning) PT Application Notifications The 2026 Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation application round will open on February 24 at 9 a. m. PT and application materials will be posted at that time.
Until then, please see 2025 materials below as a reference. Application Preview (. pdf) Application Preview (.
docx) Frequently Asked Questions Sample Project Budget (Project budgets are required; however, using the "Sample Project Budget" template is optional) Apply by March 27 at 11:59 a. m. (morning) PT CCI staff are here to help and listen.
For assistance, please email us at grants@cciarts. org (include IA - Artistic Innovation in the subject line) or call 415. 288.
053. You may also schedule a time to speak here . For Deaf applicants and those with hearing loss, contact CCI using the California Relay Service —our staff is trained in making and receiving these calls.
If you need technical assistance (e.g., password or upload issues), request support at: https://www. submittable. com/help/submitter .
Submittable’s business hours are 9 am – 5 pm MT. They aim to respond within 24 business hours. The Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation grant program is made possible with support from: CCI is now working remotely!
For the quickest response, please email us at info@cciarts. org . If you need our mailing address, please contact us.
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According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Individual working artists (not collectives or organizations) residing full-time in Marin, Napa, Solano, or Sonoma County who propose a new, unrealized project and are age 18+ at the deadline. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $9,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was April 3, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation (Bay Area) is funded by Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
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