Individual Artist Grants San Francisco Bay Area
Small Business Grants San Francisco, Performing Arts Grants, Artist Grants Bay Area, Culture & Community Grants, Individual Artist Grants Sonoma, Oakland, San Jose
Bay Area Artist Grants: Visual, Dance, Music & More
Individual Artist Grants San Francisco Bay Area
Many grants were eliminated during COVID and by subsequent slashing of funds by this current federal administration. Some organizations have an online presence but details of active grants are unknown adding extra time and effort to sift through opportunities. Similarly, when seeking individual grants for artists, most results reference organizations rather than individuals.
This quick guide was put together to highlight some incredible opportunities and encourage those entities to update information on their website and social media channels or at least mention when last grants were provided if none are on the horizon.
To my knowledge, these organizations and foundations are all active in their grants with upcoming deadlines when possible (if not, last application window). Based on interest and feedback, I will update this list with more details and opportunities.
Did I make a mistake? Is there a grant I left out? Have feedback? Let me know!
On occasion, I will publish update to this guide and other timely announcement regarding grants, opportunities and more in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sign up below (sent via email once a week).
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San Francisco Performing Arts, Artists Grants
San Francisco Arts Commission: Community Investments
For the 2025-2026 grant cycle, SFAC awarded $10.4M to 151 grantees, including $7.5M+ to 98 individual artists and 47 arts nonprofit organizations,
Culture Forward ($5M+); next window is Sept 1, 2026.
Supporting arts and culture projects that attract families, students, and young professionals to Downtown San Francisco
Closed June 1, 2026; 4 grants, $1,500 each
San Francisco Grants For The Arts
Ended June 30, 2026
North Bay Artist Grants
Sonoma County Arts, Artists Grants
Application August 14th, 2026-October 1, 2026; 45 grants of $4,000 each
Nonprofit arts & culture orgs, museums & culturally-specific nonprofit orgs
Center For Cultural Innovation: CCI Arts Funds
Marin County Artist Grants
Marin Cultural Association (MCA) Arts Grants
Artists (up to $5k) and non-profits (up to $10k); next opening Fall 2026.
East Bay Grants For Artists
East Bay Fund For Artists (last fund application September-October)
Contra Costa County Artist Grants
Alameda County Artists Grants
South Bay / Peninsula Grants Artists
Ended February 20, 2026, up to $5k for PA public space projects
City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs
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San Francisco Bay Area Artists Grants (Regional)
IntermusicSF: The Musical Grant Program
$2k-$4k; Application: January 23, 2026-March 20, 2026
Small Ensembles, Guest Artist(s) + Small Ensemble Collaborations, Composer + Small Ensemble Collaborations, Concert and/or Festival Presenters Featuring Small Ensembles, Arts & Culture Organizations
Open to 9 Bay Area counties.
Center For Cultural Innovation: CCI Arts Funds
San José Creative Economy Fund:
May 12-July 17, 2026; up to $8k, $60k total fund
Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation
Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Napa residents
Feb 24-Apr 3; grants up to $9k
$7,500 individual artists; $1,800 for orgs
June 9, 2026-August 28, 2026; up to $5k
CA$H Theatre Grant Program (Fall & Spring)
CA$H Dance (Spring?)
Creative Work FundCreative Power Awards - Sign Up For AnnouncementZellerbach Community Arts Program
Fiscally sponsored individual artists in Alameda, Contra Costa & San Francisco
Fiscal sponsorship for individual artists is a contractual arrangement with a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It allows independent artists and unincorporated collectives to solicit tax-deductible donations and apply for grants that are typically restricted to established nonprofit organizations, without having to form their own nonprofit corporation
Fleishhacker Foundation’s Eureka Fellowship Program (check back in 2028)
Southern Exposure: Grant Program Alternative Exposure
Bay Area + Santa Cruz Counties
CAC Artist Grants via Kala Art Institute
Application: April 2, 2026-June 5, 2026
Grants For Artists California & Beyond
Craft Artists Emergency Relief Grant (U.S.)
Experienced a recent & substantially disruptive emergency or disaster. $3k.
Artists and Creatives Grants (California)
Up to $500-$2k mostly but up to $5k; deadline in September
Living Cultures Grant (California)
For those who practice traditional arts;
Application March 3-April 27, 2026
More Tips For Finding Artists Grants
Search by city, county i.e. Walnut Creek artist grants, Contra Costa artist grants
Look for grants for the entire state of California
When doing online searches, append search term with the year i.e. San Francisco Artist grants 2026
You can also go to advanced tools, narrow results from the last month, year etc.
Artist Grants Oakland, Artist Grants Berkeley, Artist Grants Alameda, Artist Grants Contra Costa, Artist Grants Marin, Artist Grants Sonoma, Artist Grants Napa, Artist Grants Solano, Artist Grants Vallejo, Artist Grants San Mateo, Artist Grants San Jose, Artist Grants Silicon Valley, Artist Grants Santa Clara, Individual Artist Grants, Unrestricted Artist Grants, Performing Arts Grants For Individuals, Grants For The Arts San Francisco, California Arts Grants, San Jose Artist Grant Deadlines