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| | Celebrating 25 Years of Empowering Artists and Creative Communities | | |
2026 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI). For a quarter century, CCI has championed artists, creatives, and cultural workers by advancing economic security, fostering innovation, and strengthening creative communities across the country.
As we celebrate this milestone, we're excited to unveil our newly redesigned website. More than a fresh look, the new site reflects the evolution of CCI over the past 25 years and serves as a hub for the programs, partnerships, and people shaping a more equitable creative future.
Thank you for being part of our journey. We invite you to explore our new digital home and celebrate this exciting new chapter with us!
Check out our new website here.
| | San José Creative Economy Fund - DEADLINE EXTENDED | |
The San José Creative Economy Fund awards project grants of up to $8,000 to arts-, culture-, and creativity-based commercial businesses located in the City of San José and involved in the production or distribution of the arts, including manufacturers, service providers, presenters, and designers, among others.
Applications will now be accepted until July 17, 2026, at 11:59 a.m. (morning) PDT.
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| | | Announcing Our 2026 Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation Grantees! | |
CCI is proud to celebrate the newest recipients of the Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation program. This program supports artists who are creating new work 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.
Learn more about the grantees here.
| | | Zoo Labs: FUND - Apply by August 7 | |
Now in its sixth and final year, Zoo Labs: FUND provides grants of up to $50,000 to culturally rooted artists (i.e., artists whose work is deeply influenced by their cultural heritage, traditions, and community experiences and who draw upon the stories, symbols, practices, and values of their cultural background to inform their art) who face challenges or structural hurdles to accessing capital and aims to create more opportunities in the local creative economy.
Applications will be accepted until August 7, 2026, at 11:59 a.m. (morning) PDT.
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| | | CALI Futures - Apply by August 28 | |
CALI Futures provides grants of up to $5,000 to support artists and cultural workers across California who are meaningfully contributing to alternative efforts outside of conventional nonprofit and for-profit arts and culture systems. This Fund encourages those working in alternative efforts focused on income, ownership, and care, and uplifts the role of artists and cultural workers in shaping and sustaining these efforts.
Applications will be accepted until August 28, 2026, at 11:59 a.m. (morning) PDT.
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| | | Quick Grants - Apply by July 15 | |
The Quick Grant program provides up to $600 in professional development funds to staff members of nonprofit arts organizations based in San Francisco or San José, as well as to California-based artists, creatives, cultural practitioners, and cultural producers. This program supports artists and arts workers with funding to enroll in workshops, attend conferences, and work with consultants, coaches, and mentors in order to build their administrative capacity, hone business skills, and strengthen the financial resilience of an organization, artistic practice, or area of cultural production.
Apply by July 15 at 11:59 a.m. (morning) PT for activities starting on or after August 16, 2026.
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A Better Future is Possible
This summer, CCI is producing A Better Future is Possible, an intimate gathering of invited artists, creatives, funders, and cross-sector partners. The event will take place on July 30 in Berkeley, California. Together, participants will explore alternative models in which artists and creatives drive change and help create the conditions for economic, social, labor, and creative flourishing. We're excited to be developing this special gathering and look forward to sharing insights and learnings from the conversation in the months ahead.
If you would like to attend or are interested in learning more, please contact us at events@cciarts.org.
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Business of Art, 3rd Edition, and the Facilitator's Guide
We're excited to share that Business of Art: An Artist's Guide to Profitable Self-Employment (3rd Edition) and the Business of Art Facilitator's Guide are now available as FREE PDF downloads! The updated workbook helps artists navigate self-employment with practical guidance on business planning, marketing, legal considerations, financing, and long-term sustainability. The accompanying Facilitator's Guide offers chapter-by-chapter overviews and practical tips for using the curriculum in a cohort-based learning environment, making it a valuable resource for artist-entrepreneurs, educators, and organizations supporting creative communities.
Download your free copies and continue the legacy of helping artists build thriving, sustainable careers.
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Senior Program Officer, AmbitioUS
The Senior Program Officer, AmbitioUS will lead relationship building and strategic partnerships while supporting the development and implementation of programs that expand economic opportunity for artists and culture workers. The role includes program management, cross-sector collaboration, and public engagement to advance AmbitioUS’ mission and impact.
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| | The following workshops are provided by our peers in the field, and are not affiliated with CCI. Please contact their respective presenters with any questions. | | |
Work of Art Curriculum
SPRINGBOARD FOR THE ARTS
Ongoing
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Legal Basics for Artists
CREATIVE CAPITAL
Ongoing
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| | Do you have an upcoming professional development workshop/training for artists or arts workers? We may be able to share it in our monthly e-newsletter. Contact info@cciarts.org with details. | | | | Emergency Resources for Artists and Freelancers | |
Find a running list of resources and opportunities to support emergency needs.
READ MORE »
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City of West Hollywood Arts Grants
LOS ANGELES
The City of West Hollywood is accepting applications for its 2027 Arts Grant Program, offering funding opportunities for individual artists, filmmakers, artist collectives, and nonprofit arts organizations. Grant categories support community-based arts programming, filmmaker exhibition and distribution, projects uplifting transgender, gender diverse, and intersex communities, artist career development, and large-scale arts initiatives connected to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Applicants may apply to one grant category. Apply by July 1.
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Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants
NATIONAL
The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies to artists in financial need* who are creating work in the visual arts, digital/electronic arts, video/film, and choreography. Apply by July 14.
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Fellowship for Native American Artists
GLOBAL
This dedicated fellowship supports the work of contemporary Native American visual artists, writers, and performers. Selected fellows are offered a four-week residency, which includes uninterrupted time, private studio space, living accommodations, meals prepared by our professional chef, a stipend, and the experience of the majestic High Plains. The Ucross Fellowship for Native American Artists also includes an award of $2,000 and the opportunity to present work publicly, such as a featured exhibition in the Ucross Art Gallery, a reading, or a performance. Apply by July 15.
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Artist Grant - July 2026
GLOBAL
Artist Grant awards an unrestricted $1200 USD grant to one visual artist three times each year. They showcase grantees on their website, social media, and marketing materials. They also feature selected applicants (with permission) on their social media to celebrate and promote artists. They hope this provides insight into the wide range of creative efforts they consider. Artists retain their copyrights. Apply by July 15.
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Open Call for Curators
BAY AREA
Root Division invites emerging curators to submit proposals for conceptually driven group exhibitions in its Main Gallery. The Curatorial Open Call supports innovative exhibitions featuring Bay Area artists, with proposals required to include 100% Bay Area–based artists and demonstrate strong relevance to the local arts community. As part of Root Division's mission to support emerging and mid-career artists and curators, selected exhibitions will be presented in the organization's nonprofit gallery dedicated to connecting creativity and community through exhibitions, education, and studios. Apply by July 31.
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