Civic Arts Grants
The Civic Arts Program funds Berkeley arts organizations, artists, and festivals.
The Civic Arts Program provides grant funding to support a vibrant arts ecosystem, strengthen diverse cultural expressions, and ensure equitable access to arts and culture throughout Berkeley.
Grants for Berkeley Arts Organizations, Artists, and Festivals
Civic Arts Program grants are awarded through a competitive application process in these categories:
- Arts Organizations: Arts Organization Grants provide general operating support for Berkeley-based nonprofit arts organizations and arts programs. Grants in this category are awarded on a two-year cycle and applications for this category are only accepted every two years. Applications for the next round of funding will open in fall 2022.
- Artists: Artist Project Grants are awarded annually to support Berkeley-based artists in developing new work. Applications for the next round of funding will open in fall 2022.
- Festivals: Festival Grants are awarded annually to support for Berkeley-based festivals and special events. Applications for the next round of funding will open in fall 2022.
Timeline for current grant cycle
The timeline for artist and festival grants for the fiscal year 2023 is below:
- March 1–April 13, 2022: Application period
- June 2022: Grants Application Review Panel Meetings
- July 12, 2022: Grants Committee makes funding recommendations
- July 27, 2022: Civic Arts Commission approves grant awards
- June 28, 2022: City Council adopts budget
- July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023: Grant activity period
Call for Grant Panelists
Apply to be a panelist for the Civic Arts Grant Program. Grant review panels are an integral part of providing city funds to Berkeley’s arts and cultural sector. Individuals located in the greater Bay Area with arts/cultural experience are encouraged to apply. Deadline to apply is November 10, 2022 at 5:00 pm.
Grant panel review meetings are public and facilitated through a zoom webinar. Applicants may attend the panel review meeting to listen to the panel discussion.
Panelists must be able to commit to:
- Evaluating grant applications using review criteria
- Providing constructive comments
- Reviewing 20–50 grant applications over a six-week period
- Attending a one, two, or three-day panel virtual panel meeting
- Participating in engaging, respectful panel meeting dialogue conducive for peer-to-peer learning
Panelists are compensated $25 for each application reviewed. If accepted to be included in the Civic Arts grant panelist pool, you will be eligible to serve up to two years.
Additional grant funding opportunities
In addition to the regular yearly Civic Arts Program grants, the City of Berkeley occasionally makes additional funding for the arts available to respond to emergent needs. There are no additional funding opportunities currently available.
How to apply
When grant applications are available for any Civic Arts Program grant funding opportunity, links to the guidelines and application forms will be available on this page. Sign up for the Civic Arts newsletter to stay informed about any new grant opportunities and to receive regular program updates.
Get help applying
We hold annual information sessions and workshops to help you with your application. View recordings of the past events below:
For grantees
If you are awarded funding, you will need to complete a vendor form, fill out a final report, and use our logo on promotional materials.
- Vendor forms: If this is your first time earning a grant from us, you will need to fill out a vendor application form and W-9 form in order for us to set you up in our payment systems.
- City logo: Download the City of Berkeley logo to include on promotional materials.
