Grants & Artistic Support

Dancers’ Group maintains this calendar of grants, residencies, and opportunities that support dance and dance-makers in the Bay Area. This calendar is not exhaustive and details can change – please confirm details with each grant/opportunity.

Deadline: Mon, Feb 23

Jacob’s Pillow: The Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellowship

For eight choreographers who have been creating professional work for a minimum of two years. Choreographers from varied traditions, who work in the United States and internationally, and consider themselves early to mid-career choreographers, with or without academic training, are welcomed to apply. Choreographers are generally 22-35 years of age, though all early to mid-career choreographers will be considered.

Deadline: Wed, Feb 25, 2026 11:59 EST

Mid Atlantic Arts: USArtists International

USArtists International® (USAI) supports U.S. artists' engagements abroad with matching grants of up to $11,000 toward eligible travel expenses. The program funds individuals and ensembles based anywhere in the U.S. across all performing arts practices and disciplines. To apply, you must have at least one invitation to perform at an international festival where you are being paid an artist fee or an invitation to perform at a global performing arts market like CINARS or PAMS. Review the guidelines for additional eligibility requirements, updates to the program, and details on the new 1:1 grant matching requirement.

Deadline: QUARTERLY – Mar 1, June 1

The Svane Family Foundation: Culture Forward Grant

Culture Forward is a $5 million grant initiative by The Svane Family Foundation supporting arts and culture projects that attract families, students, and young professionals to Downtown San Francisco. Grants are open to individual artists, collectives, and arts and culture organizations. Applications will be reviewed and grants will be distributed on a quarterly basis.

Deadline: Wed, Mar 4

City of Berkeley: Civic Arts Grants-Individual Artist Projects

The Civic Arts program supports a culturally vibrant and diverse arts ecosystem within the City of Berkeley by funding grants to artists, arts organizations, and festivals. Individual Artist Project grants support artists living in Berkeley with project-based funding. Projects must include original work created during the Grant Activity Period and a public presentation that engages Berkeley residents in a meaningful way.

Deadline: Wed, Mar 11

City of Berkeley: Civic Arts Grants-Community Festivals

The Civic Arts program supports a culturally vibrant and diverse arts ecosystem within the City of Berkeley by funding grants to artists, arts organizations, and festivals. Community Festival grants fund community festivals and special events that: • celebrate and preserve a rich variety of cultural opportunities for Berkeley’s residents; • bolster Berkeley’s vitality; • increase Berkeley’s reputation as a vibrant destination for visitors; • create meaningful experiences that build community. Community Festival grants support a range of events throughout the City, from small-scale and firsttime events to large-scale and established festivals. Funded events must be open to the entire public and have a free component. Please note: This grant is for festivals that are one- or multi-day events, but generally events that occur one time per year. This grant is not intended to fund ongoing programming

Deadline: Mon, Mar 16 at 8:59pm (PST)

New England Foundation for the Arts: National Dance Project Production Grant

Awarded to 20 dance projects annually through a competitive two-stage application process. Artists/choreographers and/or companies apply to receive a package of support that includes:

$45,000 for the creation of a new dance project
$10,000 in general operating support for the artist/company
$10,000 for production residency and/or community engagement plans
$35,000 to support a U.S. tour of the work

Deadline: Tue, Mar 24

Kenneth Rainin Foundation: New & Experimental Works Grants

The NEW Program supports small and mid-size dance, theater and multidisciplinary arts organizations with grants of $5,000-$30,000 to enable Bay Area artists to produce visionary projects relevant to the communities they serve. Since 2015, this program has awarded over $4 million to 149 arts organizations.

Pre-Application Workshop: Tues, Feb 24, 12-1 PM Application Period: March 3-24, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT

Deadline: Thu, Apr 2

Creative Capital Award

In celebration of 25 years of national artist support, the 2027 Open Call invites project proposals from individual artists for the Creative Capital Award and the new State of the Art Prize. All grants will be awarded via a national, open call, external review process. The Creative Capital Award provides individual artists with unrestricted project grants for the creation of innovative, original, and imaginative new artistic works. The Award provides unrestricted project grants from $15,000 up to $50,000, plus professional development support, industry connections, and community-building opportunities.

March 2, 2026: Round I application portal opens
April 2, 2026 at 3:00PM Eastern Time: Round I application deadline

Deadline: QUARTERLY – Apr 13, Jul 13, Oct 13

Zellerbach Family Foundation: Community Arts

Supports the creation of work by Bay Area artists and access to the arts for Bay Area communities. Grantseekers must be located in or serving communities in Alameda, Contra Costa or San Francisco Counties. While Community Arts grants are awarded as general operating support, application materials must include information about an upcoming project. Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm on the application cycle due date. Late and/or incomplete applications will be considered in the following cycle, if eligible. $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000.

Deadline: Mini-Grants are offered monthly and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Submit your application before the end of the month to be considered for the next month’s award.

ARTogether: Mini-Grants for Artists

Awards $500 to Bay Area refugee and immigrant artists for work on a current or ongoing art project. Preference will be given to refugee artists and to projects which are beyond the development stage.

Deadline: Applications are reviewed and grants are awarded monthly based on available funds. Apply by the 10th of every month.

First Peoples Fund: Yéigo Action Grant

Offers grants for individual Native artists and culture bearers who are in need of quick financial assistance for an artistic opportunity, emergency situation and/or sudden unanticipated expense related to their art practice or business. $100-$5,000.

Deadline: Monthly, visit each chapter’s page for their guidelines.

The Awesome Foundation

Each fully autonomous chapter of the Awesome Foundation supports awesome projects through micro-grants, usually given out monthly. There are chapters in Marin (currently inactive), Oakland (currently inactive), San Francisco, San Jose, and Santa Cruz. Awesome Disability and Awesome On the Water are independent chapters of the Awesome Foundation. $1,000.

Deadline: Applications for residencies at different parks are continuously updated and rotated throughout the year. Visit the website for current listings and deadlines.

National Parks Arts Foundation: Residencies

Works directly with select artists and the National Park Service (and their affiliates) to create unique Artist in Residency programs within the wonders of the National Parks. The NPAF is currently active in parks across the nation.

More info at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/allresidencies

Deadline: Applications are open periodically throughout the year.

Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants

Provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies to artists in financial need who are creating in the visual arts, film/video/electronic/digital arts, and choreography.

Deadline: Ongoing; Applications must be received by the JFLA at least 3 months prior to the beginning date of the project.

Japan Foundation Los Angeles: Arts & Culture Mini Grant

Supports projects that will enhance further understanding of Japanese arts and culture. Applications can be accepted only for projects that take place within the 13 states west of the Rocky Mountains. Up to $5,000, paid in the form of reimbursement.

Deadline: Ongoing; For online projects, applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be received by JFNY at least 1 month prior to the project start date. For in-person/hybrid projects, applications must be submitted at least 3 months prior to the project start date.

Japan Foundation New York (JFNY): Grant for Arts & Culture

Aims to support projects that will further understanding of Japanese arts and culture. They accept applications from non-profit organizations for projects that take place within the 37 states east of the Rocky Mountains, plus Washington DC, regardless of the location of the applicant organizations. Up to $5,000, paid in the form of reimbursement.

Deadline: Ongoing. Recommended to apply 6-8 weeks before your presentation date.

Foundation for Contemporary Arts: Emergency Grant

$500 - $3,000. Provides urgent funding for visual and performing artists who:

Have sudden, unanticipated opportunities to present their work to the public when there is insufficient time to seek other sources of funding
Incur unexpected or unbudgeted expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates.

Deadline: Ongoing; funding decisions are generally made within eight weeks of submitting an application.

Community Foundation for Monterey County: Organizational Development Grants

Supports focused, strategic projects that strengthen a nonprofit’s ability to be resilient now and in the future. Grants can help organizations make progress in addressing unique, non-recurring management or leadership situations or to significantly strengthen their internal functioning and therefore ability to advance their mission. Typically $5,000 - $10,000.

Deadline: Ongoing; funding decisions are generally made within eight weeks of submitting an application.

Community Foundation for Monterey County: Opportunity Grants

Supports emerging organizations and ventures, urgent needs and other time-sensitive efforts where a small amount of money will make a difference. Typically $5,000 - $20,000.

Deadline: Ongoing, until all funds have been awarded

Community Foundation for Monterey County: Neighborhood Grants Program

Supports community and volunteer-led groups at the grassroots level. Groups may apply for a grant ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for a project or series of activities that improves the quality of life in their neighborhood.

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