September 2019
Cartoon by Pablo Helguera
Sacramento Artists-in-Residence Program Now Accepting Applications

Requests for Qualifications are now open for our Sacramento Artists-in-Residence pilot program, a collaboration between Metro Arts and the Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment. Sacramento AIR is a pilot program in which artists, community members and City of Sacramento staff will collaborate at the intersection of community building, social practice, and art to explore and reframe the ways in which we use our public space and the interactions that take place there. Up to eight artists will be selected to co-design proposals resulting in projects located in every City Council District. Applicants are encouraged to attend one of the informational workshops, listed below. The deadline for AIR applications is September 30, 2019.


Applications must e-submitted through Submittable: https://sacmetroarts.submittable.com

Questions should be directed to Melissa Cirone at mcirone@cityofsacramento.org or 916-808-3983. 

To register for one of the informational workshops, please visit our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/sacramento-metropolitan-arts-commission-17263690795

Each workshop will discuss the residency program, as well as the three grants currently available (listed below).
Cartoon by Dean Vietor, for The New Yorker, 1993
Three New Grants from Metro Arts

Metro Arts is now accepting applications for 3 new grant programs. To apply for Creative Economy, Cultural Equity, or the Cultural Equity Investment grants, please register and follow instructions at  SacArts.GoSmart.org. The deadline for all 3 grants is October 10, 2019, 11:59pm.

Creative Economy 2020 Grants

After a successful Creative Economy Pilot Program in 2017, the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission is accepting applications for a new round of Creative Economy grants. The Creative Economy 2020 grants are made available through one-time funding of $300,000 for $15,000 and $25,000 projects with economic and social impact in under-served communities. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE OCTOBER 10, 2019 at 11:59pm. For individual artists, enterprise/business, nonprofit organizations, and public institutions.


Cultural Equity 2020 Grants

The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission is accepting applications for a new round of Cultural Equity grants. The Cultural Equity 2020 grants are made available through one-time funding of $100,000 for $5,000 or $10,000 projects for arts and cultural organizations with organizational budgets of $500,000 or less. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE OCTOBER 10, 2019 at 11:59pm. For nonprofit organizations with budgets of $500,000 or less, working with under-served communities.  


Cultural Equity Investment Grants

The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission is accepting applications for the new Cultural Equity Investment grants. The Cultural Equity Investment 2020 Grants are made available through one-time funding of $225,000 for three (3) grants of $75,000 each for cultural arts organizations with organizational budgets of $500,000 or less. The funding, along with a year-long mentorship, is intended to infuse support into organizations to build capacity and sustainability. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE OCTOBER 10, 2019 at 11:59pm. For culturally diverse nonprofit organizations with budgets of $500,000 or less with an arts-based mission.

California Arts Council Grants Workshop

The California Arts Council will be holding a free workshop to provide an overview of this year's grant opportunities. Staff will share tips and insights into the state grant process and guide participants in best practices for putting together a successful application.


Please note, this workshop occurs on the same day as a Metro Arts informational workshop for city grants. Be sure to check your times and locations and make sure you are at the right workshop!
Virgen Campesina , acrylic painting/collage, 2001, 48"x60", From the collection of Dolores Garcia
Women Crossing , acrylic painting, 2014, 48"x72"
Reception & Artist Talk with Malaquias Montoya

Join us on Friday, September 27th, from 6pm - 7:30pm for a reception and artist talk with Malaquias Montoya, whose work is currently on view at the Robert T. Matsui Gallery in New City Hall. The exhibition, Women I Have Encountered , is now on view through November 3rd.

Gallery Hours: 8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday
Location: 915 I Street (located in the H Street lobby)
Residencies, Artist Calls & Opportunities

Marin Shakespeare Company's Shakespeare for Social Justice Workshop
This workshop will give people an opportunity to learn about the organization's work teaching Shakespeare and and autobiographical theatre in the California State Prison system, and to learn through the experience of the workshop whether it might be a good fit to volunteer with the program.


YoloArts Art Farm Exhibition & Gala (Woodland, CA)
Deadline: September 12, 2019
YoloArts invites Northern California artists to participate in the 12th annual Art Farm Exhibition & Art Farm Gala (juried & non-juried). These events raise awareness and funds for the YoloArts Art & Ag Project, The Yolo Land Trust, and Yolo Farm to Fork.


Public Art for the Erma Hayman House (Boise, ID)
Deadline: September 18, 2019
Boise City invites public artists to apply for an opportunity to design and fabricate public artwork for a significant, historic and cultural site: the Erma Hayman House. Artists with background or significant lived experience within Black and/or new American communities are strongly encouraged to apply. 


The California Natural Resource Headquarters & California Health and Human Services Building (Sacramento, CA)
Deadline: September 20, 2019
Apply now for the California Natural Resources Agency and California Health and Human Services Public Art Program. Four commissions available - artists from all career levels and working in all mediums are encouraged to apply.


Los Angeles County Arts & Culture RFQ (Los Angeles, CA)
Deadline: September 20, 2019
The LA County Department of Arts & Culture's Civic Art Program seeks artist(s) or artist team(s) to design an indoor two-dimensional artwork for the entrance lobby of the Vermont Corridor Building, a new facility for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services.


Fairmount Avenue Fire Station Public Art Project (San Diego, CA)
Deadline: September 26, 2019
The City of San Diego is seeking applications from interested qualified artists to provide public art services for the Fairmount Avenue Fire Station Public Art Project. An artist or artist team is sought to design, fabricate and transport permanent, site-specific artwork and consult during installation of artwork at the site by the City. 


RedBull Arts Detroit 2020 Artist Residency
Deadline: September 30, 2019
The Red Bull Arts Artist Residency offers a two-month residency at the Red Bull facilities in Detroit, and provides housing, studio space, an $8,000 stipend and a $2,000 budget for production of work during the residency.


Science Museum of Virginia RFQ (Richmond, VA)
Deadline: October 18, 2019
The museum is seeking requests for preliminary proposals from a qualified individual artist and/or artist teams to design an original, large scale iconic exterior artwork reflecting the theme of science and the Museum's mission.


Eastside International Los Angeles Artists-In-Residences (Los Angeles, CA)
Deadline: November 1, 2019
The ESXLA international AIR program is a self-structured residency that lasts 1-3 months, and includes a bedroom and adjoining studio for contemporary visual artists to make work, connect with other artists, spaces, galleries, curators, and explore Los Angeles.


For more calls, residencies, and listings, please check our website , which will be updated regularly with more opportunities.
Articles of Interest

What Do Galleries Owe Their Local Communities?
“ Ultimately, a gallery’s investment in its home base involves more than the percentage of artists on its roster who are “local.” And as a city’s art scene matures, it’s important to have a balanced ecosystem—one that can support regionally-focused projects as well as galleries mounting shows by artists from other cities or countries. The real responsibility for dealers is to maintain a sense of respect, nuance, and engagement."


Arts Professionals Denounce di Rosa Foundation's Plan to Sell Famed Collection
"The signees are urging the foundation to find an alternative institution to house and maintain the collection as a whole. 'Failing to do so,' they claim, will be an 'irretrievable loss to the international art community.'”