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. 

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). 
  • For the 2026 Round, artists residing in Marin, Napa, Solano, or Sonoma County will be eligible to apply.
• 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 202).
• Must be 18 years or older at the time of the application deadline.

¹For 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.

TIMELINE

APPLY

 Guidelines 

 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)

 Submittable Quick Tips

The 2025 application cycle opens June 9, 2025, at 9 a.m. PT. 

START YOUR APPLICATION

QUESTIONS & SUPPORT

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Investing in Artists grant program is made possible with support from: