Investing in Artists:

Artistic Innovation

Overview

Applications are now closed for the 2026 Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation round!

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. 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 awarded annually to Bay Area performing and media artists, with Bay Area County eligibility rotating annually. 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.

Deadlines

Applications openFebruary 24 at 9:00 a.m. PT Applications closeApril 3 at 11:59 a.m. (morning) PT Award NotificationsJune 2 at 5:00 p.m. PT Period of supportJune 2026 - June 2027

Eligibility

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, applicant:
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.
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.

Refer to the Program Guidelines and FAQ for further details on eligibility.

Image Courtesy of Grisel Torres, CCI Grantee. CounterPulse, San Francisco, CA. Photo by Senny Mau, 2023

CCI will invite panelists who are established field practitioners to review applications and recommend final grant recipients. Additional reviewers may be invited to advise on technical proposals or follow up with applicants to assess artistic practice, context, or work settings.

Panelists will evaluate applications against the following artistic innovation criteria:

Readiness: Clarity, rationale, and readiness of the proposed project, including clearly articulated work plans, collaborators (if applicable) required to carry out the project, and timelines.
Critical Juncture: Evidence that funding is coming at a “critical juncture” in the artist’s career and has the potential for long-term impact. Meaning, the proposed project provides a significant opportunity to “push the artistic boundaries” of their art-making, and funding is arriving at a pivotal time to support the artist’s artistic growth, experimentation, and long-term goals. Applicants must provide a compelling rationale as to why the funding is needed at this particular moment in their artistic career; and
Artistic Achievement: Demonstrated record of artistic achievement and quality of work. Panelists will also aim to ensure that recommended grantees reflect the Bay Area’s diverse cultural communities and performing and media arts landscape. To that end, the panel will seek to balance the final grantee pool across factors, which include: geography, disciplines, communities served, and cultural form and/or tradition represented.

Refer to the Program Guidelines and FAQ for further details on the review process and criteria.

CCI will host an information session in February 2026, providing an overview of the application, helpful tips, and a live Q&A.

Registration information will be forthcoming. If you are unable to attend, a recording will be available upon request.

Additionally, CCI will host three virtual “Office Hour” sessions for applicants to ask questions and receive answers from staff in real time.

Office Hours are not formal presentations and will not be recorded; you must pre-register to attend. Dates and registration information are forthcoming!

CCI staff are here to help and listen. For assistance, please email us at grants@cciarts.org (include Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation in the subject line) or call 415.288.0530. 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.

Refer to this Submittable Quick Tips for additional support!